Anenih quits politics

Aformer Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, said yesterday that he had decided to withdraw from active politics.

Chief Anenih said this in Abuja during the public presentation of his autobiography entitled “My Life and Nigerian Politics”.

“I am persuaded that I have no more ambition nor any point to prove in politics. I am, therefore, glad to declare that, from today, I shall be withdrawing from active partisan politics. I shall, however, continue to avail the country of my experience, give suggestions and offer advice, as a statesman,” he said.

The former PDP BoT chairman, who said he wrote the book to provide lessons and encouragement for this and future generations, said he experienced “undiluted loyalty and disloyalty from unexpected places” during the course of his political career.

He sought support and prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari to steer the country away from recession to prosperity, saying the present difficult situation is a national predicament which must be confronted in unity, irrespective of partisan commitments.

In his goodwill message, former President Goodluck Jonathan urged Chief Anenih not to quit politics, saying the younger ones will continue to look for him because of his experience and wisdom.

“We agree that you will not attend meetings at 2am, 3am, but, in the areas of security and politics, we will consult you,” said the former president.

Earlier, the chairman of the occasion and a former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, described Anenih as a role model to many because of what he called his consistent hard work and loyalty to national call.

The book reviewer, Professor Epiphany Azinge, said Chief Anenih, who cherished being called leader as bestowed on him by late Shehu Musa Yar’adua, added that the writer did not enjoy the appellation of “Mr-Fix-It”.

The book was presented by retired Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma, who was represented by Professor Jerry Gana.

Earlier in the day, Chief Anenih said that he slept for 22 hours without waking up after undergoing heart surgery last year in a London hospital.

He spoke at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, Abuja, during a special thanksgiving service.

Anenih said the seven doctors, who carried out the operations, had told those who accompanied him that he would not make it.