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 People’s 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.
This is even as the Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has also commiserated with the family of the late statesman, describing him as a patriot.
S\araki in his statement wrote: “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.
For the governor of Delta state, Ifeanyi Okowa, who also commiserated with the family of the late Iyasele of Esanland, described him as a committed patriot.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, Okowa said that he was saddened by the demise of the former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“I am deeply saddened by the death of elder statesman and former Chairman Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih (CFR), who passed on at the age of 85 years”.
“He was a committed patriot, an astute politician and a former Minister of Works who worked to better the lots of his people and Nigerians in general.
“Through his purposeful leadership and development strides, the late Anenih influenced the dualisation of the Benin Asaba road, Benin Warri Road and the Benin bypass road which brought about unprecedented development to the Niger Delta region,” he said.
Governor Okowa said that as a democrat, the late Anenih etched his name in the annals of Nigeria’s democratic advancement by working courageously for the emergence and consolidation of the Fourth Republic in 1999 when he joined forces with other leaders to form the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
“May his soul find eternal repose in the bosom of the Almighty God.” the Governor wrote.
Before venturing into politics, Chief Anenih retired from the Nigeria Police Force as a Commissioner of Police and bestrode Nigeria’s political landscape like a collossus where he mentored several succesfull politicians across the country.
