According to family confirmation to TRT Afrika, Tukur died on Saturday at his Abuja residence following a prolonged illness.

A Storied Political Legacy

Tukur left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s political landscape across multiple eras:

• Second Republic & State Governance: He previously served as the governor of the defunct Gongola State during the Second Republic.

• Federal Ministerial Role: He held the position of Minister of Industries under the military administration of former Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

• Party Leadership: After pursuing ambitions for the presidency, he assumed the mantle of PDP National Chairman, placing him at the epicentre of major national political developments.

Survived by 17 children, Tukur is scheduled to be laid to rest on Saturday at the palace of the Lamido of Adamawa in Yola, Adamawa State.

Deadly Attack Leaves 11 Dead and Several Missing in Adamawa Village

In a separate tragic development, at least 11 people have been confirmed killed following a brutal dawn raid by suspected Boko Haram insurgents on Zaranga village, located in the Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The assailants invaded the community in the early hours of Monday, shooting indiscriminately and setting numerous houses ablaze, which forced panicked residents to flee into the surrounding bushes.

Speaking anonymously to Punch, a local resident confirmed that search teams and security personnel have deployed into nearby forests to track down individuals still unaccounted for. While 11 bodies have been recovered so far, community members fear the death toll could rise as search and rescue operations continue. Another grieving resident confirmed that the onslaught tragically claimed the lives of three members of his immediate family, including his wife.

According to Atiku, Nigerians will enjoy lower fuel prices because production will happen domestically through in-country refineries. Sharing his economic vision in a post on X, he drew an analogy using local manufacturing:

“Think about shoes. If government wants Nigerians to buy shoes more cheaply, it can spend public money making imported shoes cheaper, or it can support shoemakers in Aba to reduce their production costs so they can make more shoes here, employ more Nigerians and sell at more affordable prices.”

He added, “I chose the Aba shoemaker. I will do the same with fuel. We will support crude refined in Nigeria so our refineries can produce at a lower cost and you can pay less.”

A Broader Vision for Economic Relief

Atiku emphasized that his policy goals extend far beyond fuel prices, aiming to lower the overall cost of living and ease economic burdens for everyday citizens.

• Lower Transport and Food Costs: He stated an ambition to reduce daily commuter bus fares and cut down the transport costs of moving food items from farms to local markets.

• Support for Small Businesses: The former Vice President promised to ease energy burdens for ordinary business owners, including traders, barbers, tailors, and welders.

• Direct Impact: Concluding his pledge, Atiku said, “My promise is personal: I want you to feel relief in your pocket, in your home and in your daily life. I will make life affordable again. I will make Nigeria affordable again. It is a promise.”

Kwankwaso made this declaration in a widely circulated video while addressing a group of party supporters who visited him on a courtesy call in Kano.

While noting that he is generally open to forgiving individuals who have wronged him in the past or may do so in the future, Kwankwaso drew a hard line against those he personally elevated to positions of power.

“I can forgive those who wronged us in the past, and those who can do it in the future, but don’t think I can forgive those whom I helped to become something and ended up betraying us,” he stated.

A History of Elevated Trust and Alleged Betrayal

According to the former governor, several individuals whom he assisted in securing prominent political positions—ranging from advisers, commissioners, and ambassadors to a sitting governor—ultimately turned against him.

Kwankwaso specifically alleged that despite being on the ballot paper, some of these beneficiaries chose to support opposing candidates, such as voting for “Omologo” instead of his camp. He stressed that such actions represent a severe breach of trust that cannot be easily swept under the rug or forgiven.