President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed grief at the passing of his longtime ally, friend, political loyalist and former Minister of Information and Culture, Prince Tony Momoh.
Reacting to the passage, in a statement by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Monday, Buhari said Momoh stood with him through thick and thin.
“His brand of loyalty is very rare in the politics of today. I will greatly miss him,” he added.
The president recalled that as chairman, Media and Publicity of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) Campaign Organisation in the 2003 and 2007 elections, Momoh ”contributed in no small measure to the growth and strengthening of the organisations.”
Late Momoh was also onetime Chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).
He noted that Momoh’s contributions led to the eventual formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Buhari commiserated with the media industry on the loss of a veteran who put in a lot to raise the bar of the profession in various ways as editor, manager, administrator, President and Trustee of the Guild of Editors.
He also condoled with the Auchi Kingdom, the government and people of Edo on this great loss, urging those he left behind to sustain his legacies.
The president prayed that God would grant the departed eternal rest and comfort family, friends and political associates in this period of grief.
Former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, expressed shock over the death of Momoh.
He described the late Momoh as a statesman, patriot and exemplary journalist.
In a condolence message on Monday night by his Media Office, 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.
“He 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.
“He 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.
“His death is a great loss at this time his wise counsel is needed in the country.
My condolences to his family. I pray that God give them the strength to overcome this loss. I commiserate with the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, the Guild of Editors and indeed with the Media Confraternity.
“I also mourn with the government and people of Edo State and the entire country.
May the soul of Chief Momoh rest in perfect peace in the bosom of the Lord.”
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the death as a colossal loss to Nigeria and the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, on Monday, said the death of the elder statesman, politician and journalist was painful and heartbreaking.
The governor urged family, friends and colleagues of the deceased as well as leadership of the All Progressives Congress to work towards immortalising the late Momoh, saying what he stood for and advocated during his lifetime was a better Nigeria.
Sanwo-Olu said the country will sorely miss the rich experience and knowledge of the former Daily Times Editor and ex-National Chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), especially his contributions to national issues through politics and his editorial contents.
He said: “The death of Prince Tony Momoh is a great loss to Nigeria. The late Momoh made lots of positive impact in Nigeria during his life time as a journalist, media manager, lawyer, politician and elder statesman.
“As Minister of Information and Culture between 1986 and 1990 during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, Prince Momoh served his nation meritoriously.
“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.
“I sympathise with President Muhammadu Buhari, the entire leadership and members of our party.
I also commiserate with Government and people of Edo State on the loss of their illustrious son.
“I pray that God will grant him eternal rest and give the immediate family and friends the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
The Senate Chief Whip and former Governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Kalu, has described the demise of Momoh as a huge loss to the nation.
Kalu stated this in a statement he issued on Monday in Abuja.
He described the late Momoh as a veteran journalist, lawyer, community leader and philanthropist.
Kalu said the late media guru contributed to the social, economic and political development of the country in various capacities.
Kalu, who commiserated with the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and other stakeholders in media industry, stressed that the deceased left indelible footprints in the annals of journalism in the country.
In a condolence message, the senate chief whip urged the Momoh family to uphold the good legacies of the deceased.
He said the demise of former Minister of Information and Culture, Prince Tony Momoh is painful.
“The late chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) made invaluable contributions to nation building in different positions.
“He was a strong advocate of fairness, justice and equity which he demonstrated in his endeavours.
“The late former minister lived a remarkable life dedicated to the service of humanity,” he said.
The senate chief whip commiserated with the government and people of Edo State.
