BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

ABUJA—Former Deputy Senate President, Alhaji Ibrahim Mantu, yesterday described the former national chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, late Chief Solomon Lar, as the Mandela of Nigeria.

This was even as former speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abba, current speaker Aminu Tambuwal and his deputy, Emeka Ihedioha, Leader of the House, Molikayt Akande, among others, extolled the virtues of late Lar.

In a joint valedictory session held by both chambers of National Assembly to honor the duo of Lar and Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Mantu said Lar was one politician who went beyond the divide to bring people from different groups and tribes together.

He said: “Lar was to Nigeria what Mandela was to South Africa. They are two of a kind and it is not a coincidence that we are honouring two of them today,” Mantu pointed out.”

Also speaking, former speaker of the House, Ghali Na’ Abba, said Lar ensured fairness and never meddled into issues of the House, especially in the election of principal officers.

“When Salisu Buhari emerged as speaker, Lar advised that we should support the House leadership and allow the House to enjoy its independence,” Na’ Abba disclosed.

Solomon Lar

According to him, “his integrity is unmatched, his courage unmatched and his doggedness unmatched. PDP has lost a great and important son. The likes of Solomon Lar are very rare.”

In his tribute, Speaker of the House, Aminu Tambuwal, described the late Lar as an icon and leader who provided opportunity for people to realize their political potentials.

Tambuwal noted that Lar was not in politics for self-aggrandisement, but to touch the lives of the people positively.
The deputy speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, likened Lar to a great nationalist and an emancipator.
Ihedioha said the House chose to honor him because Lar until his death, remained a great ambassador as a former member of the House and governor of Plateau State.

The House majority leader, Mulikat Akonde-Adeola, described the deceased as a philanthropist par excellence and a de-tribalised Nigerian, who believed in the unity of the country.

Deputy Minority Leader, Samson Osagie, said the late elder statesman contributed to the return and sustenance of democracy in the country.

Also in their separate tributes, the son of the deceased, Senator Victor Lar and Senator Barnabas Gemade recalled that the late Lar was a kind and generous man who believed in hard work.

According to them, Lar made peace, social justice and freedom his watchwords.
Other dignitaries at the valedictory session include: Senator Ken Nnamani, Prof. Jerry Gana, Senator Joshua Dariye and Senator Joy Emodi.

It will recalled that the late Chief Solomon Lar died in a United States hospital on October 9 after a protracted illness.