Buhari, APC Sanwo-Olu, others mourn exit of Prince Tony Momoh
Ayo Fadimu and Laraba Raphael, Abuja
President Muhammadu 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, in a statement by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Monday, Buhari said Momoh stood with him through thick and thin.
“His brand of loyalty is very rare in the politics of today. I will greatly miss him,” he added.
The president recalled that as chairman, Media and Publicity of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) Campaign Organisation in the 2003 and 2007 elections, Momoh “contributed in no small measure to the growth and strengthening of the organisations.”
Late Momoh was also onetime Chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).
He noted that Momoh’s contributions led to the eventual formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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.
He also condoled with the Auchi Kingdom, the government and people of Edo on this great loss, urging those he left behind to sustain his legacies.
The president prayed that God would grant the departed eternal rest and comfort family, friends and political associates in this period of grief.
Similarly, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it is deeply saddened by the death of the former National Chairman CPC, one of the legacy political parties that metamorphosed into the governing APC.
In a statement made available to Nigerian NewsDirect, by the Secretary, Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning of APC Committee, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, he said, “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 was 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.”
In similar vein, the Lagos State Governor, Mr 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 APC.
Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, on Monday, said that the death of the elder statesman, politician and journalist was painful and heartbreaking.
He urged family, friends and colleagues of the deceased, as well as leadership of the APC to work towards immortalising the late Momoh.
According to him, Momoh stood for and advocated for a better Nigeria during his lifetime.
Sanwo-Olu said that the country would sorely miss the rich experience and knowledge of the former Daily Times Editor and ex-National Chairman of the defunct CPC, especially his contributions to national issues through politics and his editorial contents.
“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,´´ he said.
The governor also commiserated with the government and people of Edo State on the loss of their illustrious son.
Sanwo-Olu prayed that God would grant him eternal rest and give the immediate family and friends the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
