The demise of former President of the Senate, Dr. Joseph Wayas, yesterday, triggered a chain of tributes and condolences from eminent Nigerians, as many of them eulogised him for his brilliant political career, especially his leadership of the National Assembly during the Second Republic (1979-1983) in the country. Wayas died in the early hours of Wednesday, in the United Kingdom, after a protracted illness at the age of 80.
He was the 4th President of the Nigerian Senate. Erstwhile President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who was among the earliest to react the demise of Wayas, described him as a man who lived for the welfare and security of the common man. Obasanjo said Wayas would “be sorely missed in view of his giant political strides and contributions to the building of Nigeria. He described the deceased as a “special breed” who contributed immensely to the development of the country. “He was such a great patriot who had contributed his own quota to the legislative governance and overall development of Nigeria.
He always pitched his tent with the truth. He maintained a cordial relationship with his colleagues in the Senate and was well-groomed in legislative practices and procedures.. “He demonstrated high level of maturity and levelheadedness. His disposition towards effective nation building remains unparalleled.
He lived for the welfare and security of the common man. His passion about a better and safer society was exceptional,” he said. Obasanjo described the death of Wayas as painful and commiserated with his family, Governor Benedict Ayade, the entire people of Cross River State, as well as all associates of the late statesman across the country. LAWAN The incumbent President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has also commiserated with the family, friends and political associates of the late Senator Wayas, as well as the government and people of Cross River State.
Lawan described Wayas as a great lawmaker and political leader who served his country and people with dedication and integrity, adding that his death was a great loss to Nigeria. KALU Former Governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Senate, Dr. Orji Kalu, has also commiserated with the government and people of Cross River State over the demise of former Senate President, Dr. Joseph Wayas. Describing the passage of the politician as a big loss, Kalu acknowledged the contributions of the deceased to the social, economic and political development of the country.
In a condolence message, Kalu described Wayas as a consummate politician and philanthropist of repute , who contributed to the growth and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria. AYU The incoming National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, described the late Wayas as a quintessential democrat who left bold prints on the sands of politics and political history of Nigeria. According to him, Wayas brought stability, colour, style and depth to his leadership of the National Assembly during the Second Republic. “I join millions of Nigerians across different strata of life mourning the passing of this great Nigerian statesman. He dedicated his life to the service of his Fatherland. “He was a great man, a quintessential democrat and an outstanding statesman who has left very bold prints both on the politics and political history of Nigeria,” Ayu said.
MARK Similarly, another former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has described the demise of Wayas as a sad end of an era, observing that most of the key players of that era have gone to the great beyond. In his tribute on the transition of the deceased, Mark described him as a flamboyant, vibrant and distinguished parliamentarian who left his positive footprints on the sands of time. According to him, Wayas made invaluable contributions especially laying solid foundation for democracy and the legislature in Nigeria.
“Senator Wayas was a great nationalist. He was a parliamentarian per excellence. His diligence, honesty and uncommon dedication to the ideals of nationhood remains reference points. “He brought dignity and respect to the legislature by adhering to the rule of law, separation of power and collaborating with the executive arm of government without compromising the independence of the legislature,” he said. EKWEREMADU A former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has also expressed sadness over the death of Wayas, describing him as a veteran of the Nigerian legislature and key player in Nigeria’s constitutional development. Ekweremadu said the elder statesman would be sorely missed. “This is particularly a grievous loss to the Nigerian legislature and the nation as a whole.
He was a veteran and an institutional memory bank of the Nigerian legislature, and a key player in Nigeria’s constitutional development, having been Deputy Chairman of the National Constitutional Conference Commission, which midwifed the 1994/1995 Constitutional Conference. “Senator Wayas gave his all to the nation, had a tempering effect on the polity,” he said, adding that the late Senate president was “most creditable as a patriot, pan- Nigerian, and people-vested political icon and leader”. Ekweremadu condoled with the Wayas’ family as well as the people and government of Cross Rivers State over the loss and prayed God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal repose.
GBAJABIAMILA The speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has expressed sadness over the demise of a former President of the Senate, Dr Joseph Wayas. Gbajabiamila, while condoling the government and people of Cross River State over the loss of the elder statesman, noted that his contributions to the deepening of democracy in the country can not be overemphasised. While praying for the repose of the soul of the elder statesman, the Speaker enjoined the family, friends and the people of Cross River State to take solace in the fact that the ex-President of the Senate, a founding member of the defunct All Peoples Party (APP), contributed his part to the political development of Nigeria.
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