What Mr. Fix It, Tony Anenih Said Before He Died

Tony Anenih, a former Minister of Works, died this evening in an Abuja hospital.

While members of his family have confirmed his death this evening, the family is yet to release an official statement.

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Mr Anenih, 85, was widely referred to as Mr. fix it during his time as minister of works under the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo because of his ability to manipulate the electoral process.

He celebrated a low-key 85th birthday on August 14, citing his state of health and violent killings in the country.

In a statement he personally signed, Anenih explained reasons why he chose not to celebrate his birthday.

He had said: “Whilst I remain grateful to God, for His unfailing love and sustenance that have kept me all through the years, I am, sadly, unable to fulfil this earnest desire to celebrate the milestone because of the unfortunate recent losses that befell my family in quick succession, the condition of my health and the sad state of the nation that has witnessed so much losses, bloodshed and apprehension,

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“Nonetheless, I sincerely appreciate the effort being made by government and some influential Nigerians to restore peace. I believe that with prayers and faith in God, there is hope for restoration of peace and good neighbourliness in Nigeria soon and in the years ahead,” he said.

Anenih was a former Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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 in 1993 under whose platform Moshood Abiola won the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

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