The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu and Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have reacted to the death of Tony Momoh.
The death of Tony Momoh, a veteran journalist and former Minister was announced on Monday.
He was the National Chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, a party that later merged with the All Progressives Congress and took over power from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2015.
Tinubu said Momoh was a statesman, patriot and exemplary journalist.
In a condolence message signed by his Media Officer, Tunde Rahman, the former Lagos State governor said the deceased was committed to Nigeria’s development.
He recalled the former minister’s days as a journalist.
Tinubu said: “I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Chief Tony Momoh.
“I recall reading his interview in one of the national newspapers a few days ago where he restated his love of this country and his belief in its future.
“Momoh was a statesman and patriot resolutely committed to the unity and progressive development of this country.
Exemplary journalist, he earned domestic and global recognition as Editor of the old Daily Times in those challenging days for journalists.”
Tinubu pointed out that the deceased was a notable man and one of the founders of the ruling APC.
“The deceased was not just a journalist, he was also a notable politician. He was one of the true founders of the APC. A close associate of President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Momoh as Chairman of the CPC worked day and night to bring about the historic merger with the ACN and other parties that led to the APC,” he said.
The former governor said Momoh died at a time when his “wise counsel is needed in the country.”
In his reaction, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu described Momoh’s death as a colossal loss to Nigeria and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
A statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, on Monday, said Nigeria would miss the rich experience and knowledge of the former Daily Times Editor, especially his contributions to national issues through politics and his editorial contents.
Sanwo-olu urged family, friends and colleagues of the deceased to work towards immortalising the late Momoh.
He said: “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.”
He prayed that God will grant Momoh eternal rest and give the immediate family and friends the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
