President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has commiserated with the Anenih family and the government and people of Edo State, over the death of the former Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), 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 Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) 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 who died on Sunday at the age of 85.
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 a related development, the late ate former Chairman, Board of Trustees of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, has been described as one Nigeria’s foremost politicians whose death ended a great chapter in the nation’s political history.
In his condolence message on the death of the elder statesman, former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba (Engr.) Gbenga Daniel stated that Chief Anenih was a hugely endowed political leader and foremost nationalist who served the country in various capacities during his lifetime.
“As one of the founding fathers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Anenih was among those who sustained the nation’s fledging democracy by his immense contributions in the process that laid a solid foundation for democratic ideals and political ethics in modern politics,” Daniel said.
In his demise, the country, he stressed, has lost an illustrious son and colourful politician whose administrative prowess and political sagacity remain a benchmark and history will report him positively for his exemplary roles and great ideas in nation building.
Anenih was known as Mr. Fix-it due to his political ‘skills’ in helping his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP out of difficult political situations.
