Jonathan, Atiku, Makarfi, Nnamani, Turaki, Others Mourn Anenih

Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President, Ken Nnamani; ex-Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki; former caretaker Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Makarfi, were among other Nigerians who have condoled the family of late Chief Tony Anenih, describing him as a an institution, a colossus, a patriot and mentor to many Nigerians.

The former chairman of PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) died last Sunday at the age of 85 years.

Jonathan in a statement issued on Monday by his spokesperson, Ikechukwu Eze, said the exit of the ‘great nationalist’ and founding member of PDP was a sad loss to the party and the country.

The former president noted that his rich political experience, sincere patriotism and deep wisdom are qualities Nigerians still need to cultivate for national cohesion, growth and development.

According to him, "Late Chief Tony Anenih was a great asset to our dear country.  For a long time, he remained a leading light in our party and in Nigeria's political firmament, charting the course for peace, unity and the entrenchment of true democracy in Nigeria.”

Jonathan added that even at old age and in retirement, Anenih continued to inspire and mentor younger politicians as a demonstration of his deep commitment to Nigeria's growth and progress.

He said he was indeed a leader with an exceptional knack for initiating well-considered strategies for political stability in the country.

Jonathan stressed further that "Anenih served our country diligently in different capacities, distinguishing himself in the security systems, business, politics and peace building.

"He left a legacy of remarkable achievements through selfless service to humanity and deep commitment to peace, democracy, party loyalty and national unity.

"May God Almighty provide succour to his family members, the government and people of Edo State and others who mourn him, and grant his soul eternal rest.”

Also, Atiku described as shocking the news of Anenih’s passing, adding that his death has left a vacuum in the country.

The PDP presidential standard bearer said his roles in ensuring the stability, not only for the party, but also for the country at large, stood him out as a patriot who dedicated his life to the service of humanity.

The former vice president in a statement issued on Monday by his Media Adviser, Mr. Paul Ibe, said Anenih did his best for the country and his death at this time that Nigeria is going into electioneering was saddening.

He said: “Indeed I have lost a great friend of decades. I am particularly pained that Anenih left the stage at the time the party and the country needed his wealth of experience the more, especially in our collective quest to restore good governance and democratic ideals in our country.”

 Also, Markarfi said he was saddened by the news of the passing away of a nationalist, statesman, and democrat, adding that his death came at a time when the country needs statesmen like him.

Makarfi in a statement he personally signed yesterday said: “Anenih excelled in all his callings. He contributed enormously to the development of democratic governance in Nigeria. Personally, I have lost a mentor and a father who stood by me at all times.

“My condolences go to his immediate family, the government and people of Edo State, the PDP family and his larger political associates and indeed Nigerians in general.”

However, when journalists visited the Asokoro residence of late Anenih, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim; former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman; Turaki, Senator Clifford, former Chief of Staff to President Jonathan, Mike Oghiadomhe, were among eminent Nigerians who visited the family.

Turaki said Anenih was not just a father and a mentor but an institution.

“This is one of the saddest days of our lives. Today we are mourning not just a leader, a mentor, a father but somebody who is a colossus, an institution. People like him don’t come by easily every day. We pray that daddy's soul will rest in peace,” he said.

Also, Nnamani said there is no politician in Nigeria that would not respect Anenih’s strategy, planning and  effectiveness.

The former Senate president said PDP showed a lot of strength under his chairmanship, stressing that BoT actually stood out as the conscience of the party and also took PDP to another level.

Nnamani stated: “A big iroko has fallen. It got to a point when he's no more the leader of the PDP alone. He was the leader of the country politically. There is no politician in Nigeria, whether you like him or not, who will not respect his strength of strategy, planning, effectiveness, and that gained him that name ‘Mr. Fix It'.

 “None of our party constitution, both APC, PDP, defines the position of a leader, it is a name he carved out for himself. You cannot go to any section and see the role of a party leader, it doesn’t exist, but every person recognised him as a leader. The party chairman recognised him as a leader. He was able to make difficult, complex political issues sound very simple.”

The Senator representing Edo Central, Clifford, described his death as a rude shock, noting that he was a political leader who played a major role in the senatorial district.

On his part, Oghiadomhe said his death was a great shock to everyone.

According to him, “I didn’t just see him as the leader of PDP; he was the leader of Edo people, a leader of our family. I saw him as a father. He used his experience, his wealth, his knowledge, his capacity to uphold welfare and dignity of other people.

 “He was a man who knew Nigeria and Nigeria knew him; he knew the community and the community knew him, he knew all that he met and above all he knew God.”