Former Military President, retired General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida GCFR, has described late of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) juggernaut, Chief Tony Anenih, as a charismatic elder statesman that has unique passion of providing solutions in governance of the country.

In a tribute on the death of octogenarian, General Babangida, said: “The demise of Chief Tony Anenih is a big loss to the political scene of Nigeria at this crucial time of electioneering campaign.

“Indeed Nigeria and Nigerians will greatly miss a political master strategist in the next political dispensation.

“On behalf of myself and entire family extend our condolences to the family of late Chief Tony Anenih, Oba of Benin, government and people of Edo State as well as the entire members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Also on Monday, former Governor of Anambra State and the PDP Vice Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, described the death of Anenih as a painful loss not just to the Anenih’s immediate family and political associates, but to the nation at large.

Describing Chief Anenih as a cornucopia of politics, Obi said that experiences of people like him are always expedient to nations like Nigeria that were struggling to deepen democratic practices.

Speaking further, Obi said that “beyond politics Nigerians should study the rich political odyssey of politicians like Anenih for their timelessness, especially noting how their many triumphs and failings that would certainly act as a beacon of light, instructing the younger ones on what to embrace and what to avoid.”

Concluding, Obi prayed to God to grant him eternal rest and to those he left behind, the fortitude to bear the loss.

In his own tribute, former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, lamented the passage of Anenih.

Senator Mark said the demise of Anenih is a huge loss to the nation and devastating to the political class who would have benefited from his reservoir of experience to navigate through the murky waters of Nigerian politics today.

He recalled Chief Anenih’s exploits and contributions to the political evolution of Nigeria since the second republic and submitted that the late politician was a political icon who added value to the polity.

Senator Mark maintained that “Chief Anenih stamped his authority in the political arena and left his positive footprint on the sand of time. In the second republic, as the then Chairman of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in Bendel State, he led the party to victory.

“During the ill-fated third republic, he was the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) that led the party to success in an election variously described as the freest, fairest and most credible election in the history of Nigeria.

“On the return of Democracy in 1998/99, Anenih played the leading role in the evolution of PDP and earned the sobriquet of “Mr. Fix it and Leader”.

“No doubt, Anenih has left a huge vacuum that would be difficult to fill at least within the political class”.

Senator Mark pointed out that Nigeria would miss Anenih’s wise counsel and contributions to the political development of the country saying: “He lived an eventful and accomplished life worthy of emulation”.

He prayed that God grants Anenih eternal rest just as he prayed that the Almighty gives the immediate family, the government and people of Edo State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

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