- Buhari, PDP, top politicians mourn
The former Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, is dead, aged 85.
The Iyasele of Esanland, popularly known as “Mr. Fix it” in political circles in reference to his ability to initiate successful strategic political moves, succumbed to illness at the Cedar Crest Hospital, Abuja on Sunday.
A statement issued by Mr. Anthony Akhakon Anenih Jr, on behalf of the family in Abuja, on Sunday night, said, it was with a heavy heart and total submission to the will of the Almighty God, the family announced his passing on to glory today, Sunday, October 28 2018, after a brief illness.
He said at aged 85, Chief Anenih, is survived by many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The statement added: “A beloved patriarch, he enjoyed God’s uncommon grace while alive.
“He served God and humanity with commitment. He also served his fatherland to the best of his ability.
“We will all sorely miss him. But his legacies live on.
“Burial arrangements by the family will be announced subsequently.”
Friends and political associates gathered at his Abuja residence at Sunrise Hills, Asokoro, Abuja to commiserate with his family as soon as the news of his death broke.
The late Anenih was born on August 4, 1933 in Uzenema-Arue in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government of Edo State.
He obtained secondary school qualifications working from home. In 1951, he joined the Nigeria police force in Benin City.
He trained at the Police College in Ikeja, and was selected for further training in the Bramshill Police College, Basingstoke, England in 1966, and the International Police Academy, Washington DC, U.S.A, in 1970.
Anenih served as a police orderly to the first Governor General of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.
He worked as an instructor in various police colleges, and in 1975 was assigned to the Administrative Staff College (ASCON), Lagos. He retired from the police as a Commissioner of police.
He was State Chairman of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) between 1981 and 1983, helping Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia become elected as civilian Governor of Bendel State.
However, the governorship was cut short by the military takeover of December 1983.
He was National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) from 1992 and 1993, when he assisted in the election Chief M. K. O. Abiola as president.
He was a member of the Constitutional Conference in 1994.
Similarly, Anenih was a member of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) until early April 2002, when he joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
He was said to have played a pivotal role in the emergence of Olusegun Obasanjo as the presidential candidate of the PDP In 1999 and national coordinator of his campaign organization in 1999 and 2003.
Chief Anenih announced his disengagement from active politics in November 2016 during the presentation of his autobiography, “My Life and Nigerian Politics.”
He said at the time: “I am persuaded that I have no more ambition nor any point to prove in politics.
“I am, therefore, glad to declare that, from today, I shall be withdrawing from active partisan politics.
“I shall, however, continue to avail the country of my experience, give suggestions and offer advice, as a statesman.”
Reacting to Anenih’s death, President Muhammadu Buhari extended his heartfelt condolences to the Anenih family on the death of its beloved patriarch and elder statesman.
A statement issued by Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), Mr. Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Sunday said President Buhari also commiserated 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.
The statement said: “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 affirmed 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 prayed almighty God to grant Chief Anenih’s soul eternal rest and comfort all who mourn the octogenarian.
The PDP said Anenih lived a fulfilled life, expressing regrets that his death has robbed the party and the nation of “an experienced man whose love for the country was beyond description.”
National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, said the nation would miss the late politician.
He said: “His death came to me as a rude shock. Though he was advanced in age, as human beings, we wanted him to be around us for a longer period.
“This is because we loved him. He was a nationalist who wanted the best for the country. We would miss him. We pray to God almighty to grant him eternal peace.”
Secondus said that the PDP would immortalise him.
He worked as an instructor in various police colleges, and in 1975 was assigned to the Administrative Staff College, Lagos. He retired from the Police Force as commissioner, after which he joined politics.
He was State Chairman of the National Party of Nigeria between 1981 and 1983.
He was National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party from 1992 and 1993, and was also a member of the Constitutional Conference in 1994.
Anenih was a member of the then unregistered Peoples Democratic Movement founded by the former Chief of General Staff, late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.
He later later joined the Peoples’ Democratic Party, and was a minister under the regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Anenih, who was better known as “Mr. Fix it” because of his closeness to the corridors of power and his political dexterity, was later appointed Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, via his Twitter handle, expressed his condolences to the friends and family of the late chieftain.
He tweeted: “The passing away of Chief Tony Anenih, one of the founding fathers and elder statesmen of @OfficialPDPNig is a sad news to me and everyone who had a close & personal relationship with him.
“I pray for strength and comfort for his family. May God grant his soul a peaceful repose.”
Also, reacting, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, wrote on Twitter: “Chief Tony Anenih, was a consummate elder statesman who played several defining roles throughout Nigeria’s democracy.
@He will be remembered for his great patriotism and his insight into national issues. He will be dearly missed. Rest in Peace, Chief.”
The immediate past governor of Delta State and Delta South Senatorial District candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, expressed pained over the death of Chief Tony Anenih, describing him as Nigeria’s greatest Nationalist.
Uduaghan in a statement by his media assistant, Monoyo Edon said: “I have just received the sad news of the death of one of Nigeria’s greatest nationalists, Chief Tony Anenih. His passing is a painful reminder that the pool of our committed nationalist leaders is depleting.
“Chief Anenih was like a father-figure to me privately and on my political sojourn. He gave me the privilege of his listening ears in troubled and in good times.
“I shall forever cherish the very good memories we shared together, he was my run-to adviser who threw his doors open to me, even at short notice. I generously tapped from his wealth of experience and I am the better for it today.
“His death may be painful, but I thank God for the selfless life he lived and the legacies, worth emulating by all patriots, that he left behind. I pray that the Almighty God grant his soul eternal rest and the Anenih’s family the fortitude to bear irreparable loss.”