The Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM, has described the passing on of elder statesman and people’s politician, Chief Solomon Dauschep Lar at 80, as a great loss to Nigeria.
The National Chairman of PDM, Mallam Yusuf Ibrahim, who spoke through his Media Advisor, Alaba Yusuf, stated that, “Chief Lar was a political colossus of the highest breed who brought colour and candour to the artistry of politics in the country, dating back to pre-independence days.”
Mallam Ibrahim further stressed that Chief Lar, a former governor of Plateau state and ex federal parliamentarian, was “an indomitable politician who till his death prayed and wished for unity and security amongst Nigerians, as exemplified in his Independence Day clarion call for oneness.”
In addition, the PDM believes that the sudden exit of a great politician of Chief Lar’s pedigree and wealth of experience would definitely create a big vacuum which will be difficult to fill.
“We pray that his amiable soul shall rest in peace; we also wish members of his family the fortitude to bear the huge loss,” Ibrahim concluded, urging those left behind to emulate the good qualities of the deceased.
Also, former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has described the late pioneer Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Governor of Plateau State, Chief Solomon Lar, as an accomplished humanitarian and an incomparable politician.
Kalu said Lar’s death was a big blow to the nation as he would be sorely missed by those whose lives he touched in various ways.
Kalu, who described the late politician as a symbol of statesmanship, in a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser, Oyekunle Oyewumi, said: “Chief Lar was an accomplished humanitarian and a consummate politician.
“He touched the lives of many less privileged in the society through his philanthropic gestures.
“He was a detribalised Nigerian, who built friendship and relationships across boundaries irrespective of age, social status, religion, race and tribe.
“Above all, he lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation and will be remembered for his forthrightness on national issues.”
Kalu condoled with the Lar family, the Plateau State Government, the Peoples Democratic Party and the Federal Government of Nigeria on the loss of such an illustrious citizen.
He urged the Lar family to take solace in the fact that he contributed immensely to the social, economic and political development of Nigeria and left behind good children to uphold his legacies.He prayed God to grant him eternal rest.
In a related development,Chairman of Oil World Nig. Limited, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo paid also glowing tributes to the pioneer chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Solomon Lar, who died Wednesday in a United States of America (USA) hospital.
Olawepo, a political protégé of the fallen politician, described in a statement the late politician as a democrat extraordinaire, crusader for equality and as an outstanding patriot.
He added that “at the darkest hour in the history of our country, at the zenith of the Abacha dictatorship this great lion of the middle belt was the one assigned the task of delivering the letter to the late maximum, ruler authored by the 12 northern leaders, a group now known as G-12 demanding the dictator to bury his self succession plan. Baba Lar hand-delivered the letter at a time when many democrats fled the country to escape the terror of that era”.
The business mogul continued: “For those of us young men who networked for democracy in Abuja some few meters from the den of the dictator, Baba Lar was a source of inspiration. Together with his compatriot Late Abubakar Rimi, they led the Progressive group to navigate the dangerous ship of democracy that successfully berthed in 1999, with him emerging as the founding Chairman of the Ruling Party (PDP). I had the rare privileged of working closely with him.
According to him, a time of Chief Lar’s departure, is an appropriate occasion to acknowledge and remember those with whom he shared the stage at that momentous time when our democracy was been painfully delivered, this include colossus like Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, Chief Bola Ige and Senator Sunday Awoniyi and Rt. Hon. Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Chief S.M. Afolabi, Alhaji Iro Danmusa, Chief Harry Marshall; among others. It is also a time of roll call of the living heroes such as Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Alhaji Sule Lamido, Dr. Iyoriha Ayu, Barrister Jerry Gana, and many more.
“Baba Lar was great in many aspects than one. He was generous to a fault. One who shared any gift and resources he ever received with hundreds of children of the downtrodden who surrounded him at all times. He was a peculiar Nigerian political leader who after stepping down as two term “Governor of old Plateau State with unmatched accomplishment in the development of the state, having served as a Federal Minister, and Chairman of the ruling party controlling 24 states, died without having a personal house in Abuja in his name, or proxy.
“The spectacular sacrificial life style of this departed legend should serve as inspiration to higher service for those who aspire to lead our great country at a time like this. It should fire the spirit of selfless service amongst millions of young Nigerian seeking mentorship. While we mourn this irreparable loss, we also celebrate his life and the force that his example represents. Adieu, Wali Lantang, the wise one, Solomon Lar”.