National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Adams Oshiomhole said the former Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Late Tony Anenih was a strong political leader whose influence went beyond Edo State.
Oshiomhole said this Thursday when he paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Anenih in company of National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Lanre Issa-Onilu and his Chief of Staff, Abass Braimah.
Simon Egbubulem, Chief Press Secretary to the APC National Chairman in a Statement said Oshiomhole who had earlier spoken to the first son of the deceased, Tony Anenih Jr, who was in London, signed the condolence register, describing Chief Anenih as a great son of Edo state and Nigeria that will be missed.
He assured Smith Edoga, a relative of the Anenih’s who was at the deceased residence that he will visit again when the deceased family members are back from abroad.
While lamenting the demise of Chief Anenih recently, Oshiomhole said, “I acknowledge that Chief Anenih was a strong political leader whose influence went beyond Edo state considering that he come from Edo state, a minority, he was able to stamp his authority, dominate his party and seems to influence the direction of his party as long as he did.
“So for PDP family, I believe it was a huge loss but on my part, we in Edo recognized him as a father, even by mere reason of his age, he was old enough to be my father and I never hesitated to admit to that.
“But I have always told him when you have many children, they may not all agree with the way Daddy run the house. And politically I was not able to agree with his own political values and some of the tactics he resorted to. But I have respect for him.
“But the good news is that, as if he knew this was going to happen, about a year ago, I attended an event in Uromi at the Catholic Church, and that was shortly after he returned from his medical trip abroad.
Oshiomhole also recalled that, “on that occasion, he (Anenih) said I have told my wife just yesterday, that he has forgiven all those who offended him in his political life particularly Adams, even if he does not ask for it.
“This was in the Catholic Church. We are both Catholics. And when it was my turn to also make a speech, I also said as a father I have also forgiven him as his son. But the good news is that these issues were never personal, we did not quarrel over family land, we did not quarrel over family issues, we quarrel over what is the best way to govern Edo state”.
