Chief Tony Anenih marked his 79th birthday in Abuja last Saturday. Regional Editor (News) Olawale Rasheed was there and reports.THE venue was Asokoro district, Abuja and the quiet event was the seventy-ninth birthday of Chief Tony Anenih, a frontline leader of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP). The low-profile celebration witnessed fresh statement that the leader, popularly called Mr Fix It, is still a force to reckon with in the nation's political landscape.Early in the morning, top leaders from far and near started streaming into the compound to pay homage to a politician they see as a mentor and motivator. From the dusk till dawn, big masquerades in the nation's power establishment strolled in one after the other, saluting the chief who also moved round to heartily greet well wishers. Governors, senators, honourables, presidency officials, PDP party chieftains and many business moguls graced the event with many of them having one good thing or the other to say about the Edo politician.The birthday, coming soon after the Edo governorship polls was held without sad feelings of a recent loss. While guests in attendance readily explained that a big time celebration of the chief was reserved for next year when he would clock 80, others pointed at some developments in Edo politics as the reason for their happiness despite the loss at the polls. To these admirers of the chief, the revelations on the killing of the private secretary of Governor Adams Oshiomole and the details about the road accident vindicate the celebrant and the PDP in Edo State.The police had confirmed that the private secretary was killed in an armed robbery operation while the road accident is proven to involve a truck driven and owned by members of the governor's political party. Both developments had emboldened supporters of Chief Anenih who had, in recent past, been badly maligned especially during the run up to the election. The birthday event was thus a celebration of vindication and innocence of the chief even though it was meant to be a low profile affair.Informal interactions with guests at the event revealed a lot that are not reported by the media. A top politician explained how Anenih used to fund political campaigns of his allies from his purse. Others narrated how he skillfully navigated the political water for them to attain their political ambitions. To Chief Ponle Ebo from Osun State, the celebrant has a record that most politicians in Nigeria cannot boast of.'Whatever anybody may say about the leader, he is a successful politician. He installed three presidents in Nigeria. Nobody can contradict that fact. He does this by shrewd political strategising and mobilising. He gains confidence of his followers by serving their interests rather than his own. That is why the followership appears cult-like', Mr Ponle, a chieftain of the PDP said.The newly appointed Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth and Student Affairs, Comrade Imagwe Jude Martins said the celebrant was a father to many leaders, adding that 'Daddy is an institution' According to the presidential aide,' those very close to Daddy will confirm his generosity, love for progress and readiness to support old and upcoming leaders in their bid to serve their fatherland'One thing noticeable again was that most guests were at loss when asked to talk about the celebrant. From one top leader to the other, the common refrain is 'how and what do I say about chief' Typifying the awe and respect still accorded the chief by the power establishment was the response of Senator Odion Ugbesia, a former minister and serving senator. Said he: 'Let me tell you a story. A student was given an examination question in which he was asked to write about the life and time of our lord, Jesus Christ. On getting the paper, the student was dumbfounded. So he wrote on the answer sheet. Dear examiner, who am I to write on our Lord Christ. Rather, I will prefer to write on Prophet Moses. So he wrote extensively on Moses and the examiner indeed gave him pass mark.'If elder Ugbseia chose to talk in parable because of his love for the celebrant, the immediate family chose to express joy. The sons and family members came with their kids while some well-wishers from the northern part of the country had to break their fast in the chief's house. A lawyer friend, Mudiaga Odge Junior, was so elated that he entertained the former Super Eagle coach, Samson Siasia to warm up from his cold. Many politicians in flowing Babaringa also came for photo opportunity.A team whose presence was clearly and rightly expected was the PDP leadership in Edo State. Led by its state chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, the party executive was fully in attendance alongside other state leaders of the party. The gubernatorial candidate of the party in the last poll, General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) was prominently in attendance even as he showed no sign of having just lost a battle. If anything, the PDP team in attendance was as confident as ever, suggesting that while the battle may have been lost in the field, the court room is the next pint of clash.Midway into the celebration, the representative of President Goodluck Jonathan entered the place like any ordinary guest. The Chief of Staff to the President Asiwaju Mike Oghiadome arrived without fanfare in his usual low profile manner and went straight to deliver the president's message to the celebrant. The president had written a personal letter to Chief Anenih, commending his stabilising role within the party and the polity, praying God to grant him more years in service of the fatherland.Asiwaju Oghiadome himself is however a political son of the celebrant and he did not just come as a guest but as one of the many big hosts at the Asokoro gathering. Many would have expected it to be an Edo affair but the attendance swelled when Oghiadome arrived, confirming views in some quarters that the PDP and Chief Anenih in particular were not finished as was being touted. If there is anything, the opposition may have to brace up for a hardened PDP come 2015.As guests started taking their leave last Saturday, the 79 year-old politician did not show any sign of political fatigue. His agility and sharp mindedness indicated a political lion not tired of political wars now or in the nearest future. As noted by Chief Ponle, 'the leader is very much around in this and future dispensation. Whoever writes him off does so at his own peril.
Click here to read full news..
