Solomon Lar's PA Speaks On His Last Moments

Chief Solomon Lar, who died this Wednesday in the United States, had expressed distress at the crisis ravaging the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of which he was a founding member, Ambassador Danladi Wuyep, his personal assistant, has said.

Speaking from the Abuja family home of the deceased, where people have flocked to pay their last respects, Wuyep stated that during the twilight of his life, even on his sick bed, the late Lar constantly spoke about his vision of Nigeria as a unified and indivisible entity.

He said, “His vision was for Nigeria to remain a single entity. He believed that Nigeria could only progress if she remained united. Even in his household, he accepted people from all walks of life. He never discriminated on tribal, religious or zonal basis.”

Wuyep also described the former governor of old Plateau State as a lover of peace who championed the cause of the downtrodden and the needy. He said, “He was a man of peace and someone who hated oppression and suppression. He’s somebody who was generous to a fault. He was a champion of the downtrodden and always was interested in the welfare of the needy. He was the pioneer secretary of Legal Aid Council, a group that assisted the poor with free legal advice.

 “During his time as governor of old Plateau including the present Nasarawa State, he established the Emancipation programme which targeted development in key areas like infrastructure, education and health.”

Among the people who visited the compound of the deceased to pay their last respects and commiserate with the family was Senator Joshua Dariye, former governor of Plateau State, who described Baba as an emancipator, a people’s leader and a bridge builder. He said that his death was a great loss that would be felt by all and sundry.

Hon. Mulikat Adeola, a majority House leader wrote in the condolence register: “Daddy, we shall all miss you. May Almighty God grant you eternal rest. You were a pillar to your family and the nation as a whole.”

Former information minister Professor Jerry Gana, who is a friend of the family, was one of the early callers at the residence and helped to receive other visitors who came to condole with the bereaved.

Other notable visitors who were at the residence yesterday included Senator John Wash Pam and House of Reps member Hon. Albert Atiwurcha. They both agreed that Baba’s death has created a vacuum which would prove difficult to fill.