The name Barrister Solomon Dalung is household. Like every principled and upright man, his private and public conducts have earned him a reputation that commands respect and adulation not from a few. In him, true leaderships are defined. Contrary to the “Seeking power” concept of leadership in these parts, Barrister Dalung as I would like to refer to him is driven by passion to achieve a noble cause. This he achieved with an internal disposition that relates to his sense of purpose and self-worth as exemplified by his numerous defence and advocacy for the plight of the downtrodden and legally oppressed in our society.
My knowledge of him dates back to several years of his active and unrelenting defence and protection of the rights of the Fulani minority i.e. The MIYETTI ALLAH Association Plateau State occasioned by the incessant community clashes with herdsmen. This saw him initiating and mediating peace process between these two groups. As a result, he is giving-in to driving, riding or trekking as the case may be, through dangerous bush parts in his quest to help restore peace and tranquility in the troubled communities.
Only a man propelled by an inner conviction of purpose and passion that can bring this to bear. He remains a hero to many whom he assisted during those clashes by his relentlessness in fostering dialogue, understanding, tolerance and accommodation among the people. He has consistently offered free legal services to the defenceless, poor, a gesture that does not have any coloration or inclination to neither ethnicity nor religion.
Barrister Dalung is quiet popular among the elite political class, especially in the North for his unflinching disposition towards integrity, justice, good governance and the rule of law. These qualities have endeared him to many and have ensured his steady rise in life. His principles are strict yet gentle, revolutionary, yet accommodating and his political ideals tend towards radical progressivism, a trait that have seen him fighting for the political and socio-economic progress and development of Nigeria. He is an ardent advocate of one monolithic North and a firm believer of one Nigeria.
He started his political career when he was appointed a Special Assistance (SA) to the late Chief Solomon Lar, a great leader and hero of our democracy. Under Chief Solomon Lar’s tutelage, Barrister Dalung cultivated the virtues of hard work, discipline, honesty, selfless sacrifice and patience. He was appointed a Local Government Chairman, a position he administered successfully.
A thorough grassroots politician whose primary concern is the welfare of the people. Since I got to know him on a personal level, he has never hidden his disdain for corruption, in fact; he has always maintained that corruption is the bane of Nigeria’s development. Barrister Dalung’s altruistic behavior, vocal articulation on issues of Northern and National interests and of course his radical and firm disposition, attracted him to the Northern Elders Forum, where he is the youngest member of the Socio-political group committed to promoting the wellbeing.
By all intent and purposes, Barrister Dalung is an ardent Buharist, one who has never concealed his admiration for President Muhammudu Buhari’s. He displayed the highest standards of discipline, honesty, morality and patriotism. After much pressure from some interest groups in Plateau State and coupled by his ever-burning passion to serve, he decided to take a shot at the governorship seat in plateau state on the platform of the All Progressives Congress Party APC. He lost in the primaries election to the Governor, Barrister Simon Lalong. His election did not deter him from mobilizing and galvanizing support across the North for Buhari’s victory, a role he played prominently until the President was declared winner.
The Holy Bible states, “for every labour, there is a profit”. I believe that the profit of years of undaunting true leadership is beginning to show by his recognition and appointment into the APC Transition Committee by the harbinger of change himself, President Muhammadu Buhari. It is said that like begets like, so it must have been easy for President Buhari to spot him. It is said of a wise man that; true leaders do not seek or pursue followers, but instead, attract them. That is the case of the man revered by the talakawas, a followership of many who believed and trust in him, even the President.
As a Lawyer, he is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Jos, Plateau State. He can be spotted in his usual and characteristics black or red beret on Safari, a rather eccentric appearance that portrayed his firmly held beliefs which actually earned him a special admiration by the President. Barrister Dalung ably fits into the true concept of leadership the country needs at the critical moment of our history and I have no doubt in many heart that among other eminently qualified citizens like David West and Chief Audu Ogbe, he will be considered for higher national assignments. Humility, loyalty and patriotism are the regular display of a man whose time has come.
This is the Barrister Solomon Dalung that I know.
Chief Abraham Ogenyi, lives in Abuja.
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