Presidential flagbearer  of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubarkar, has described as shocking the news of the death of Chief Tony Anenih, Iyasele of Esanland.

Atiku said in a statement in Abuja on Monday that Chief Anenih’s death has left a vacuum in this country as his roles in ensuring the stability, not only of our great party but also for our nation, Nigeria at large, stood him out as a patriot who dedicated his life to the service of humanity.

Atiku said Chief Anenih did his best for the country and his death at this time that the nation is going into electioneering campaigns is saddening. “Indeed I have lost a great friend of decades.”

“I am particularly pained that Chief Anenih left the stage at the time the party and the nation needed his wealth of experience the more, especially in our collective quest to restore good governance and democratic ideals in our country.”

Atiku, who described Chief Anenih as a great political colossus and patriot said his ability to consistently, at every turn, resolve knotty political puzzles would later earn him the sobriquet of ‘Mr. Fix It.’

Commiserating with the family of the late Iyasele of Isanland and the government and people of Edo state, the former Vice President asked them to take solace in the fact that the elder statesman left his indelible footprints on the annals of the nation’s democratic history.

He prayed God to grant the family the fortitude to bear this loss