Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tony Anenih, has eulogized the first national chairman of the ruling party, Solomon Lar, who died in October 2013.
He recalled how Lar’ s fatherly and steadfast role had always stabilized the party during crisis and never for once dump the party, saying such person should be immortalized by the Federal Government.
Anenih, who was speaking on Monday night at the Night of Tributes in honour of Lar, paid glowing tribute to the former Governor of Plateau state and former Minister of Police Affairs, describing him as an exemplary man who lived for others.
He noted with satisfaction that, “Lar demonstrated commitment and discipline in leadership; he led the way while his loyalists steadfastly followed him.
“In all the moments of tension and crises that manifested in our Party, Lar did not jump ship; rather he played important roles in resolving them. He did not waiver in the face of challenges. He remained a father figure to all.
“He was, indeed, a loyal party man; and, as the first national chairman of the PDP, he spared no effort to work for the upliftment of our Party in which he played a frontline role in its formation”.
The former Minister of Works, Anenih recalled how PDP under Lar’s watch as first national chairman recorded substantial success in the 1999 general election that ushered in democratic rule.
According to him, “It was under his chairmanship that our Party produced Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as President in the 1999 presidential election.
“In the same general elections, our Party, under Lar’s watch, produced 21 state governors; 67 members of the Senate; 215 members of the House of Representatives; 464 Local Government Chairmen and 4840 Councilors.
“These were, indeed, no mean feats. They were the building blocks upon which our Party’s successes in the subsequent elections, so far, were erected”.
Stressing the need to immortalize the late politician, Anenih said, “Lar deserves the best we can do to immortalize him; his family members deserve the best we can do to assist them.
“I like to take advantage of this opportunity to advise that the Federal Government should try to recognize prominent Nigerians who have contributed to the development of this nation in their chosen fields of endeavour, especially while they are alive.
“The families of such prominent citizens should not be abandoned after their death. The family of Lar should therefore not be abandoned. We owe his family an unfailing love as a Government and as a Party.”
Anenih, fondly called the ‘Leader’ was excited by the accolades poured on the late Lar by guests present at the event.
While thanking them, he said further, “You have all painted the true portrait of Lar in your tributes; and, I concur with your accolades: Lar was a political titan, an iconic democrat, a consistent pacifist, a solid bridge builder and a unique emancipator, who committed his life and times to the promotion of peace and stability in our polity as state governor, minister, party chairman, member and chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees at different times in the past.
“I join all of you, who have paid tributes to Chief Lar, in celebrating his worthy life of solid political legacy; and, my epitaph for him as he goes home in a blaze of glory is: “Here goeth Solomon Daushep Lar; when cometh another?” May the soul of this great compatriot rest in peace in the bosom of the Lord! Amen.”
