Former Governor of Plateau state and pioneer National Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Solomon Lar, is dead.
Lar, 80, who had been on a live support in a United States hospital died on Wednesday.
President Goodluck Jonathan said he received the news of the passing away of the former Minister of Police Affairs with immense sadness and a feeling of immense national loss.
A statement issued by Presidential Media Adviser, Dr Reuben Abati reads, “On behalf of himself and the Federal Government of Nigeria, President Jonathan extends heartfelt condolences to the Lar Family, Governor Jonah Jang, the people of Plateau State, the people of the Middle Belt and all others for whom Chief Solomon was a much beloved, charismatic and inspirational political leader.
“The President joins them in mourning the passage of a truly great leader whose eventful and highly successful political career predated Nigeria’s independence, having started with his election as a Councilor in the Langtang Native Authority in January 1959 and continued with his election to the Federal Parliament in December, 1959.
“President Jonathan urges them to take solace in the knowledge that Chief Lar lived a long and most fulfilled life, and that his immense contributions to communal, state and national development have assured him of a place amongst the eternal heroes of the Nigerian nation.
“The President believes that Chief Lar will always be remembered for the exemplary humility, great vision, wisdom and maturity which he brought to political leadership in Nigeria for over 50 years as a legislator, executive governor, party leader and highly revered elder statesman.
“He also trusts that present and future generations of Nigerians will always acknowledge and honour Chief Lar’s role as one of the founders and architects of the country’s current democratic dispensation which he helped to establish and stabilize.
“The President prays that God Alimghty who blessed the Nigerian nation with the gift of Chief Lar’s acclaimed leadership abilities for so many decades, will receive his soul, and grant him a well deserved rest from his earthly labours.
