Senate President David Mark and a former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have joined thousands of Nigerians in mourning the pioneer national chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Solomon Lar.
Second Republic governor of old Plateau State, Lar passed on early today in the United States of America. He was aged 80.
In a condolence message, Mark described the late politician as a dogged fighter for the cause of democracy.
“Chief Lar will be remembered for fighting for democracy and enthronement of the people’s mandate against all odds,” Mark noted in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paul Mumeh.
The Senate President recalled that “it was Chief 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.
“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,” said Mark.
On his part, former Veepee Abubakar said Nigeria lost a great statesman in Lar.
“He was a leader Nigeria needed at each time of crisis,” Atiku said in a statement issued by his media office.
“His departure will be most felt at this time when there is growing disagreement among the country’s political elite,” the statement noted.
According to the former Vice President, 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.”
Mark and Atiku both prayed for the repose of the soul of the late politician.