Renown PDP Stalwart Tony Anenih has died at the age of 85.
The former Minister died on Sunday evening at an Abuja hospital where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment.
His son, as well as other family family sources confirmed his death. The family is expected to release an official statement later tonight.
Born in Edo State, Mr Anenih was one of the most influential politicians of his era. He was nicknamed ‘Mr Fix It’ for his ability to manipulate the electoral process.
Mr Anenih was a state chairman of Nigeria’s then ruling party, NPN, between 1981 and 1983. He is believed to have played a major role in the controversial 1983 general elections including in his home state of Bendel (now Edo State) where he helped Samuel Ogbemudia to victory.
Mr Anenih was also the national chairman of the Social Democratic Party(SDP) in 1993 under whose platform Moshood Abiola won the June 12, 1993 presidential election. Mr Abiola was later imprisoned by the Sani Abacha dictatorship with many of his supporters accusing Mr Anenih of betraying the June 12 cause.
Upon return to democracy in 1999, Mr Anenih was also a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party and was appointed works minister by then President Olusegun Obasanjo.
More details to follow…
