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Elder statesman and former Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Bamanga Tukur chose the occasion of his 80th birthday celebration to say goodbye to partisan politics. One of the founding fathers of the PDP, Tukur who entered politics during the Second Republic in 1983, when he contested and won the governorship election of the defunct Gongola State on the platform of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), has indeed carved a niche for himself in the field.

But, the man under whose tenure the PDP broke up, believes he has had enough and, therefore, wants to leave partisan politics for the younger generation. In his address entitled: ‘The Historical Background and Realities of My Earthly Sojourn, So Far,” Tukur said: “It is time to say goodbye to formal politics. I have used several political platforms to serve my country. It is time to rest. At the age of 80, I feel I can serve our dear nation more in the capacity of a statesman and father figure.”

He, however, said his doors were open to all politicians, business men, business women, “and all Nigerians who may seek my advice or opinion on any issue affecting our country or beyond.”

On his experiences in politics, particularly his tenure as the PDP chairman, Tukur said he worked hard to entrench internal democracy, party discipline and party supremacy. He enjoined politicians to see politics and government positions as avenues for rendering service to the country and not a bread and butter affair, adding that elected officers and government officials should regard their positions as sacred trust to be used to serve the nation.

His words: “I wish to enjoin politicians to play the game according to the rules and to take the interest of the country to heart. I had the privilege of serving as the national chairman of the party during which I tried to introduce sanity in the party affairs. I introduced the idea of internal democracy, party discipline and party supremacy. These are the great ingredients of strong party systems which ultimately drive the democratic process.

“Perhaps, on account of the long period of military reign in Nigeria, politicians have not yet internalised and applied the principle of internal party democracy. I hope that with time, party democracy will be entrenched in our political party system as this strengthens our nascent democracy. Politicians should avail themselves of their constitutional right to assemble with anybody or political party.

“But, the need to checkmate frequency of defections from one political party to the other can hardly be overstressed. Political parties are stronger when members submit themselves to the rules and regulations of the party and subscribe faithfully to it ideologies.

“Our political parties should strive to have concrete ideologies as this will certainly help to curtail unmitigated defections in the system for a strong party breeds a strong government. A strong government breeds strong economy. A strong economy brings development, peace and security.”

Though the PDP was not represented at Tukur’s birthday celebration, it later issued a statement describing the former chairman as a quintessential democrat and humble statesman, who contributed immensely to the development and stability of the nation. The statement added: “It remains proud that the octogenarian, who is one of its founding fathers, has made indelible marks in business and politics within and outside the country”.