Eminent Nigerians have started paying tributes to the late Pioneer Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Solomon Lar, who bid the world goodbye yesterday at the age of 80 years.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, described Lar as a man of integrity whose forthrightness and wisdom stood him out among his peers.

He said the nation will take solace in the fact that Lar lived a fulfilled life filled with series of achievements which has contributed to the development of Nigeria.

Chief Ayo Adebanjo, an Afenifere elder statesman, described the death of Solomon Lar as unfortunate.

 “It is sad, depressing and very unpleasant. However, I am of the opinion that Solomon Lar’s departure from this polity is very painful because he still had critical things to contribute to the Nigerian politics.

 “He was among the builders of new Nigeria. Lar was among those, who fought for the rights of the minority in the country. We will miss him a lot because his generation is dwindling in the Middle Belt. I wish he was alive at this time that we are restructuring the country through the national conference.

“He was among those who fought for the rights of the middle belt people. Through his forthright and charismatic leadership the Middle Belt people are no longer regarded as northerners. Lar and others ensured that the middle belt has identity through the creation of states. He will surely be missed,” he said.

Chief Goody Uwazurike, the President of Igbo Intellectual Think-Tank group, the Aka-Ikenga, described Solomon Lars as a rare politician which exist once in a lifetime.

 “Dr Solomon Daushep Lar was one of those gargantuan politicians who appear once in a century. He looked immortal to his area of influence, dominated and overcame his opponents and in the end became a statesman. He left solid foot prints in the sands of time in Nigeria,” he said.

Other prominent Nigerians that extolled the virtues of Solomon Lar includes Former Minister of Petroleum Resources Prof. Tam David-West, Former Governor of Old Anambra State Chief Jim Nwobodo, founder of Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) Chief Fredrick Fasehun, former Lagos State Police Commissioner Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, National President of the Arewa Youth Forum, Alhaji Shettima Yerima, Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Senate President David Mark, etc.

Also, the Peoples Democratic Party mourned the passing into glory of its pioneer National Chairman through a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh.

 “Our hearts reach out to the Government and people of Plateau state, the millions of PDP family nationwide, but most importantly to his loved ones and immediate family.
“Chief Solomon Lar will be remembered for his insistence on the emancipation of the masses and his white handkerchief.

“That is why he was fondly called the Emancipator.

“PDP members will not forget the image of Chief Solomon Lar on the podium with his white handkerchief singing and dancing to the PDP song.”

“PDP at the national level will participate fully in ensuring that Chief Solomon Lar is given a national burial.” The statement reads.