Political leaders and prominent Nigerians have been reacting to the death of former Plateau state governor, Solomon Lar who passed on Wednesday in the United States.
Reacting last night to the demise of the pioneer national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Solomon Lar, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, described it as the loss of one of the country’s greatest statesmen.
“He was a leader Nigeria needed at each time of crisis,” Atiku said noting that his departure will be most felt at this time when there is growing disagreement among the country’s political elite.
Atiku said the late Chief Lar’s “fight for his middle-belt region in particular and Nigerians in general will be remembered by every worthy historian of this era.”
He prayed to God for the repose of his soul and to grant the entire Lar family, people and government of Plateau state and Nigerians as a whole the fortitude to bear this huge loss.
President of the Senate, David Mark also lamented over the demise of a foremost political leader, describing him as rare Nigerian who propagated the tenet of democracy and lived to see the actualisation of the people’s will.
Reacting to the news of the passing unto glory of the elder statesman, Mark noted that Lar will be remembered for fighting for democracy and enthronement of the people’s mandate against all odds.
He recalled that it was Lar who led the group of G-34 which later metamorphosed into today’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that has sustained the democratic rule all Nigerians now enjoy.
Mark said: “We owe him a great deal of gratitude. He surely has a place of pride in the political history of Nigeria. Lar was a different kind of leader. He put the people and the nation first before self.
“He was an easy going man . He was calculated, gentle and result-oriented leader. Regrettably the nation has lost one of her shinning stars. We shall miss his robust contributions to national issues. We shall miss his humour.
Mark urged Nigerians especially the bereaved family and the PDP to take solace in the fact that Lar lived an eventful and an accomplished life worthy of emulation.
Also reacting, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tony Anenih, described the death as a great loss to both the party and the nation.
Anenih said in a reaction to the news of Lar’s death that “this is, indeed, very sad and painful. Solomon Lar was a great leader and pillar of our party. He was a Titan of democracy whose leadership and invaluable counsel will be missed by the PDP family, especially at this time when efforts are being made at genuine reconciliation.”
Declaring that the elder statesman would be sorely missed by the PDP and the nation, Anenih sympathized with the family members and prayed that the Almighty God would grant them the fortitude to bear the loss of a great husband, father and grandfather.
