NATIONAL: Buhari, Atiku, others mourn Tony Momoh

PRESIDENT Buhari has expressed grief at the passing of his longtime ally, friend, political loyalist and former Minister of Information and Culture, Prince Tony Momoh.

Reacting to the passage, President Buhari said Prince Momoh stood with him through thick and thin, adding: “His brand of loyalty is very rare in the politics of today. I will greatly miss him.”

The President in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina in Abuja, Monday recalled that as chairman, Media and Publicity of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) Campaign Organisation in the 2003 and 2007 elections as well as Chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the late Auchi Prince contributed in no small measure to the growth and strengthening of the organizations, leading to the eventual formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

President Buhari commiserated with the media industry on the loss of a veteran who put in a lot to raise the bar of the profession in various ways as editor, manager, administrator, President and Trustee of the Guild of Editors, urging them to sustain his legacies.

While also condoling with the Auchi Kingdom, the government and people of Edo State on this great loss, the President prayed that God will grant the departed eternal rest and comfort family, friends and political associates in this period of grief.

Also former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on Monday joined others to mourn a former Minister of Information, Tony Momoh, who died earlier in the day.

In a message posted on his Twitter handle, @atiku, the former Vice-President described the deceased as a good man.

He said like a Prince that he was, Momoh carried himself with dignity and respect.

He wrote, “A good man, Prince Tony Momoh, has gone home. The veteran journalist, politician and former minister was an avowed apostle of politics without bitterness. And like the prince he was, carried himself with dignity and respect. He will be sorely missed.

“My family and I, condole with his family; the Otaru of Auchi Kingdom, HRH Alhaji Aliru Momoh (Ikelebe III) and his Council; the government and people of Edo State, his friends and associates. May his soul rest in peace.”

In its own case, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said it is deeply saddened by the death of the former National Chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), one of the legacy political parties that metamorphosed into the governing APC.

The party started this Monday night in a condolence message signed by Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe, the

Secretary of its Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee.

Part of the statement reads; “On behalf of the National Chairman of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), H.E. Mai Mala Buni, members and supporters of our great party, we extend our condolences to late Prince Tony Momoh’s family, the President, government and people of Edo State.

“A distinguished journalist, lawyer, the Yerima of Auchi, politician, publicist, author, the former Minister of Information and Culture truly lived a storied life which will be a source of inspiration to present and future generations.

“The late Prince Tony Momoh was a strong advocate for internal party democracy which allowed for open, consultative and fair party processes. His mindset and approach to politics were that of service, not business. This was evident in all assignments he was regularly called upon to serve on behalf of the party.

“Many will remember the late Prince Tony Momoh’s tough stance against corruption. As CPC National Chairman, he made clear the defunct Party’s resolve to bar any of its aspirants to become candidates if they engaged in corrupt practices or thuggery during the primaries.

“Words are not enough to describe the monumental loss brought by the death of Prince Tony Momoh on the progressive fold.

“The Party prays the Almighty God grants the late Prince Tony Momoh eternal rest and bring succour to all his family, loved ones, friends and associates as we mourn this sad loss”.

Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has described the death of former Minister of Information and Culture, Prince Tony Momoh, as a colossal loss to Nigeria and the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Governor Sanwo-Olu in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, on Monday, said the death of the elder statesman, politician and journalist was painful and heartbreaking.

The Governor urged family, friends and colleagues of the deceased as well as leadership of the All Progressives Congress to work towards immortalising the late Momoh, saying what he stood for and advocated during his lifetime was a better Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu said the country will sorely miss the rich experience and knowledge of the former Daily Times Editor and ex-National Chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), especially his contributions to national issues through politics and his editorial contents.

He said,  “The death of Prince Tony Momoh is a great loss to Nigeria. The late Momoh made lots of positive impact in Nigeria during his life time as a journalist, media manager, lawyer, politician and elder statesman.

“As Minister of Information and Culture between 1986 and 1990 during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, Prince Momoh served his nation meritoriously.

“As a democrat, he played active roles in the formation of various political platforms at the transition stage of Nigeria from military dictatorship to civilian rule. He led his former party, the Congress for Political Change (CPC) to form the APC with other political Parties and contributed positively to the party’s victories in the 2015 and 2019 general elections.

“I sympathise with President Muhammadu Buhari, the entire leadership and members of our party.

“I also commiserate with Government and people of Edo State on the loss of their illustrious son.

“I pray that God will grant him eternal rest and give the immediate family and friends the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”.