…Ekweremadu Mourns, Describes Wayas as a Veteran
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has bemoaned the passing of Nigeria’s former President of the Senate in the second republic, Dr. Joseph Wayas, noting that the deceased played key role in nurturing Nigeria’s democracy.
Senator Wayas was reported to have died in the early hours of Tuesday in a London hospital at 80.
In a statement by Governor Uzodimma’s Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, the Governor described Dr. Wayas death as a collective loss to Nigeria, insisting that the late former Senate President used his position to positively enhance the democratic ethos of the country through the legislative arm.
Governor Uzodimma said that the era of Dr. Wayas as Chairman of the National Assembly (NASS) was not only stable, but also helped to facilitate commendable constitutional processes that are still impacting positively on the country’s democratic journey today.
The governor said Dr. Wayas will be sorely missed as a statesman, patriot, and that the vacuum his death has created as a pan-Nigerian in the highest echelon of political decision making in the country would be difficult to fill.
Governor Uzodimma therefore commiserated with the Government and people of Cross River State, the leadership of the NASS, his political associates, the immediate and extended family members of the deceased, particularly the widow and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
He further urged them not to lose hope in the unfailing love and grace of God Almighty which he said are always available to see them through challenging period, even as he also prayed God to grant the soul of Dr. Wayas a peaceful repose.
Ekweremadu Mourns Wayas, Describes Him as a Veteran
Also, a former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has expressed sadness over the passing on of Nigeria’s former President of the Senate, Senator Joseph 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.
Reacting to the announcement of the demise of the former lawmaker by the Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade, the Senator said: “I received with a deep sense of loss the passing on of elder statesman and Nigeria’s former President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Joseph Wayas.
“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 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 and acquitted himself most creditable as a patriot, pan-Nigerian, and people-vested political icon and leader.
“It is sad that he passed on at this critical juncture in Nigeria’s history when the wise counsels of elders of his status are most needed”
He condoled with the Wayas’ family as well as the people and government of Rivers State over the loss and prayed God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal repose.