President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his heartfelt condolences to the Anenih family on the death of its beloved patriarch and elder statesman, Chief Anthony Anenih.
President Buhari also commiserates with the government and people of Edo State and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the passing of their illustrious son and former Chairman, Board of Trustees.
“As a frontline figure in the annals of our country’s political history, the President attests that Chief Anenih lived a life of service, as State Chairman of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), chieftain of the PDP, and a former Minister of Works.
“President Buhari affirms that across the political spectrum of Nigeria, Chief Anenih was known for his strong views on issues pertaining to the unity and stability of the nation.
“The President prays almighty God to grant Chief Anenih’s soul eternal rest and comfort all who mourn the octogenarian,” Presidential Media Adviser, Femi Adesina said in a statement.
President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has als commiserated with the Anenih family and the government and people of Edo State, over the death of Chief Tony Anenih.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki described Anenih as a consummate politician, master strategist and committed statesman, who contributed greatly to the development of Nigeria’s democracy.
“Chief Tony Anenih was a patriot, bridge builder and astute politician who played several defining roles in building Nigeria’s democracy. He will be remembered for his wisdom and his insight into national issues.
“Throughout our democratic struggles, as the Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) during the military years; the Minister of Works and Housing in the Obasanjo years; then later as the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) ‘s Board of Trustees, Chief Anenih was known as a master strategist who believed in the unity of Nigeria and in the need for strong and visionary leadership across the nation.
“My deepest condolences and prayers are with his immediate and extended family; the PDP — where he was a founding father; and the government and people of Edo State.
“I would be remiss if I did not state that at this time, when our nation is going into one of the most significant elections of our time, Chief Anenih’s guidance, counsel and cerebral understanding of our nation will be dearly missed. I pray that the Almighty grants him a place in paradise”, Saraki stated.
Also, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara has condoled with the government and people of Edo State over the demise of elder statesman, Chief Tony Anenih.
In a condolence message, Hon. 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.
“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”.
In the same vein, the All Progressives Congress national stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has described the former Minister of Works, Anenih as a leader who was resolutely committed to the unity and cohesion of the country.
He said in a statement last night by his Media Office: “Chief Anenih was a foremost politician and elder-stateman. He was resolutely committed to the unity and cohesion of this country. He worked for the upliftment of his Uromi hometown and Edo State, as he worked for the growth and development of Nigeria.
“A politician of immense repute. He gave so much to party politics and democracy in the country.
As one of the founding fathers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he played a key role in the country’s resurgent democracy. It was no surprise that he later emerged the Chairman, Board of Trustees of PDP.
“Our path crossed in the Social Democratic Party where he was our national chairman. I recall that he was an energetic politician who played politics with all that he was imbued with.
“I commiserate with his family. I pray that they find the strength and courage to live without their patriarch. I also commiserate with Governor Godwin Obaseki and the government and people of Edo State”.
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