IBB, Dogara, Secondus, Mark Mourn Late Chief Tony Anenih
BY EVELYN DADU, ABUJA – Messages of condolences keep pouring in over the demise of former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former minister of Works, Late Chief Tony Anenih, by eminent Nigerians and leaders of note.
In a tribute on the death of the octogenarian, former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, described the Late Anenih as a charismatic elder Statesman that has unique passion of providing solutions in Governance of the country.
Babangida said: “The demise of Chief Tony Anenih, is a big loss to the political scene of Nigeria at this crucial time of electioneering campaign.
“Indeed Nigeria and Nigerians, will greatly miss a political master strategist in the next political dispensation.
“On behalf of myself and entire family extend our condolences to the family of Late Chief Tony Anenih, Oba of Benin, government and people of Edo state as well as the entire members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In his own tribute, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara described Chief Anenih’s death as a huge loss not only to Edo State but to the nation as a whole.
Dogara noted that the late Anenih was a fine gentleman, great mobiliser and a reputable nationalist who, all through his life, believed in, worked and prompted peace and unity in Nigeria.
He further said; “We have lost a father, counselor, leader par excellence and a patriot who gave his all for the unity of this country”
“He was a distinguished and exemplary officer while he served in the Nigerian Police until his retirement as Deputy Commissioner of Police”.
“On the political front, Chief Anenih played politics without bitterness right from the days of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the second republic to the then Social Democratic Party (SDP), and later the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), where he served as the Board of Trustees chairman, leaving indelible marks in the management of the party”.
“Our deepest condolences go to the Anenih family, the people and government of Edo state, and the nation at large”.
Similarly, National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus described the Late Chief Anenih as an outstanding leader who would be greatly missed in the polity.
Secondus said the death of the great politician and founding member of the PDP came to him as a shock but thanked God for his golden age and the huge legacies he left behind.
He said the PDP had wished Chief Anenih to be around to see the party regain power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) but said God knows the best as he creates and takes away at his own will.
In the words of Secondus; “Chief Anenih was a pragmatic leader whose contributions to the stabilizing of our democracy was glaring enough to fetch him the reverence of many Nigerian leaders.”
He recalled the various roles of the elder-statesman in using his wealth of experience in party politics and in governance as Minister of Works.
The PDP National Chairman said; “Chief Anenih’s deep political thinking and disarming political strategy that helped him holds way in the country’s polity for years would be missed as well as his fatherly counsel at challenging times”
Secondus commiserated with the Anenih family, and urged them to take solace in the fact that their Late dad left behind enviable records in his area of endeavor.
Also, former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark while lamenting over the demise of Late Chief Anenih. said his demise is a huge loss to the nation and devastating to the political class, who would have benefited from his reservoir of experience to navigate through the murky waters of Nigerian politics today.
Mark recalled Chief Anenih’s exploits and contributions to the political evolution of Nigeria since the second republic and submitted that the late politician was a political icon who added value to the polity.
In his words; “Chief Anenih stamped his authority in the political arena and left his positive footprint on the sands of time. In the second republic, as the then Chairman of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in Bendel State, he led the party to victory.
“During the ill-fated third republic, he was the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) that led the party to success in an election variously described as the freest, fairest and most credible election in the history of Nigeria.
“On the return of Democracy in 1998/99, Anenih played the leading role in the evolution of PDP and earned the sobriquet of “Mr. Fix it and Leader”.
“No doubt, Anenih has left a huge vacuum that would be difficult to fill at least within the political class”.
Senator Mark pointed out that Nigeria would miss Anenih’s wise counsel and contributions to the political development of the country saying “he lived an eventful and accomplished life worthy of emulation”.
He prayed that God grants Anenih eternal rest just as he prayed that the Almighty gives the immediate family, the government and people of Edo State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
