It is 1 year 4 months (16 months)since the death of Nigeria’s ex-Senate President Joseph Wayas, whose burial is still pending, over alleged setbacks in logistic and financial.
Senator Joseph Wayas serve as a Senator from 1979-1983 and subsequently rose to the rank of senate president.
Wayas who served in the 2nd Republic died on the 30th of November, 2021 in London Hospital, United Kingdom at the Age of 80.
Many have expressed concern over the delay in completing the burial of the former Senate President, who served during Nigeria’s 2nd Republic.
It is alleged that the family of the late Lawmaker has in the process had some controversy with the Cross River Government over funds and handling of the burial, which has caused the current delay, a situation that the Cross River Caucus Of the National Assembly has glared seriously at.
Nonetheless, with the reintroduction of the issue on the floor of the Senate while on plenary on Tuesday, it appears that the Federal Government will take over Wayas’ burial.
According to the Cross River State Legislature Members of the National Assembly led by Senator representing Cross River South, Gershom Bassey, in a statement made available to Newsmen in Calabar on Wednesday, the Caucus has raised a motion on the floor of the Senate which was co-sponsored by Senators Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe and Sandy Onor of Cross River North and Central respectively, calling on the Federal Government to urgently take over the burial plans of Wayas.
Gershom said the Senate, therefore adopted the motion asking the Federal Government to take over the burial plans and also authorized that it should name a national monument after Wayas.
The Cross River Lawmakers at the National Assembly are asking that Wayas be buried before the end of April 2023.
Also, the Paramount Ruler of Obanliku LGA of Cross River State, HRM Ernest Item, has said that he and his council have been discomfited over the delay and issues surrounding the burial of the former lawmaker.
The source said, the paramount ruler consequently summoned the first son of the former Senator, Mr. Wayas Jnr, and the Basang community (where Wayas comes from) and leaders of the community to explain the reasons for the continued delay. Unfortunately, Wayas Jnr. could not attend the meeting which was rescheduled.