By Bolaji Ogundele and Jide Orintunsin, Abuja

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the University of Jos (UNIJOS) on Wednesday mourned Prince Tony Momoh.

The FEC also paid tribute to a former Agriculture Minister, Alhaji Alfa Wali.

Just before the Council started the week’s virtual meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, members of the Cabinet observed a minute silence in honour of the departed ex-ministers.

Condoling with the Momoh family, President Buhari said: “His brand of loyalty is very rare in the politics of today. I will greatly miss him.”

The President also recalled that as the Chairman of Media and Publicity of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) Campaign Organisation in the 2003 and 2007 elections, the late Momoh “contributed in no small measure to the growth and strengthening of the organisations”.

President Buhari noted that the contributions of the late Momoh, who was one-time Chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), led to the eventual formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Momoh was a frontline journalist and politician who was Minister of Information and Culture under General Ibrahim Babangida government.

He died on February 1, 2021, at the age of 82 years.

Wali, a prominent Kano State indigene, died on January 25.

Read Also; Gbajabiamila, Fayemi, Obaseki, Oyetola, Mohammed, others mourn Tony Momoh

He was also Permanent Secretary in many ministries, including the Ministry of Defence.

President Buhari commiserated with the Wali family, the government and people of Kano State and urged them to take comfort in the legacy the late Wali left behind.

In a statement on Wednesday in Abuja by their Chairman and Kebbi State Governor Atiku Abubakar Bagudu, the APC governors, under the platform of Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), said Momoh’s death was a loss to the nation, the progressive family and the media.

“We, the PGF, join the Momoh royal family, our party leaders and members, in particular President Muhammadu Buhari, people and government of Edo State and the nation to pray for the repose of the soul of our dear and beloved Prince Tony Momoh.

“Being one of the founding fathers of our great party, all leaders and members of the party will continue to celebrate his inspiring leadership, vision and belief in the unity of Nigerian progressives’ politicians, being the foundation for Nigeria’s political transformation.

“As a former CPC National Chairman, he was able to demonstrate that the determining factor for any successful leader is sacrifice. Together with the leaders of all our legacy parties, Chief Bisi Akande and Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, he was able to inspire all of us to make all the sacrifices required to make the emergence of APC in 2013 possible.

“As a former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he will always be remembered for his passionate campaigns for national unity and peaceful coexistence. His death is a loss to the nation, Nigerian progressive community, the media and all patriots.”

Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday mourned Momoh.

In a statement in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, the main opposition described Momoh’s death as a huge loss the country.

It recalled Momoh’s roles in the development of the Nigerian media industry, especially as the editor of Daily Times.

The party commiserated with the Momoh family as well as the government and people of Edo State and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

Authorities of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), where the late Momoh was the Pro-Chancellor and the 13th Chairman of Governing Council, described his death as a huge loss to the institution.