The Chairman of the South South Governors’s Forum, and Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, on Tuesday led his colleagues to condole with the family of late politician, Chief Tony Anenih, in Abuja.

The Chief mourner and first son of Anenih, Tony Anenih, and his widow, Justice Mary Anenih, received the governors.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, said in a statement on Tuesday that Governor Dickson was accompanied by the Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike, the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and their Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Barr. Emmanuel Udom.

The Governor òf Bayelsa State who spoke on behalf of the South South Governors Forum, said that they visited the residence of the late astute politician to condole with the members and encourage them on the demise of their father.

He said that the governors’ visit was representative of the good people of the respective states and indeed the entire South South geopolitical zone.

He said that the governors of the zone thought it necessary to condole with the family of Anenih who he described as a great politician who mentored and guided many distinguished Nigerians including the members of the South South Governors Forum during their visit to Abuja.

He said that the death of Anenih had created a vacuum not only in the family and his native Edo State but also the entire South South zone and the Nigerian Federation.

He said: “We are here because we heard the sad passing of our leader and father. We as governors, those he mentored over the years thought it necessary to visit the family on his passing.

“We are here on behalf of the wonderful people of our states, party leaders of our zone, the entire South South leaders. We are here to encourage and remind you that you are not alone.

“Although he lived a ripe age, the kind of things he was doing required that age to do. Clearly, his departure has created a major vacuum in the family, the zone and indeed the country.

“We assure you that you are not alone, you have our shoulders to rest on, we are here to pray with you and encourage you all. We are here to also pray that God will grant you the fortitude to bear the loss.”

The Governor assured the family that the Forum would provide the necessary support to give the late politician a befitting burial.

In his response, the Chief Mourner and first son of the late Anenih, Mr. Tony Anenih Jr., described his father’s death as very painful.

He described the late Anenih as a loyal party man who displayed commitment to his word.

He said that the family would sustain the great legacies of the late political icon.

•Photo shows Governors Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom); Benedict Ayade (Cross River);Nyesom Wike (Rivers) and Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta) during Tuesday’s condolence visit to the family of former Works Minister, Chief Tony Anenih