President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the family of former Senate President, Joseph Wayas, on the passing of the elder statesman, whose “influence and contributions to Nigeria’s democracy remain indelible.’’
The president’s condolence message is contained in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, on Thursday in Abuja.
Buhari noted the sacrifices of Wayas, who started taking up leadership responsibilities at an early age, turning a Senate President at 38, and remaining vibrant and dynamic in mentoring leaders long after he retired from politics.
The president joined the National Assembly, Government and people of Cross River State, his friends and associates in mourning Wayas, believing his legacies would be approximated for posterity.
He prayed that his soul would find rest with the Lord.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo said that Wayas lived for the welfare and security of the common man.
Obasanjo, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Thursday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, noted that Wayas would be sorely missed in view of his giant political strides.
The former president noted that Wayas contributed to the building of the Nigerian nation, starting from his birth place, Bassang, in Cross River to every nook and cranny of the country.
“Dr. Wayas was a special breed who contributed immensely to the development of the country and became a parliamentarian in the Second Republic.
“He was such a great patriot who had contributed his own quota to the legislative governance and overall development of Nigeria.
“He always pitched its tent with the truth. He maintained a cordial relationship with his colleagues in the Senate and well-groomed in legislative practices and procedures,” Obasanjo said.
His knowledge of practices and procedures of the Senate, according to Obasanjo, helped him greatly in running the affairs of the upper chamber of the parliament.
Obasanjo explained that Wayas demonstrated high level of maturity and level-headedness, saying his disposition towards effective nation building remained unparalleled.
“He lived for the welfare and security of the common man. His passion about a better and safer society was exceptional.
“His steadfastness, commitment to the cause of one Nigeria and optimistic spirit towards national development will continue to inspire us both now and in the future,” he said.
The former president described the death as painful and commiserated with his family, Governor Benedict Ayade, the entire people of Cross River State and all associates of the late statesman.
Obasanjo prayed the Almighty God to grant the late leader a place among the righteous ones in paradise.
“May God also grant members of his immediate family the people and government of Cross River, the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.
Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, also condoled with the family of Wayas.
Lawan, in a condolence message by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Ola Awoniyi, in Abuja on Thursday, described the death of Wayas as a great loss for Nigeria.
He commiserated with the family of Wayas, Government and People of Cross River State, friends and political associates of the late elder statesman.
“Senator Joseph Wayas was a great lawmaker and political leader who served his country and people with dedication and integrity.
“As the President of the Senate in the Second Republic, Senator Wayas led the upper chamber with competence and passion, he was a great symbol of his political era.
“Senator Wayas continued to contribute to nation-building, democracy and socio-economic development of Nigeria even after he left public office in 1983.
“He played a significant role as Deputy Chairman of the 1994-95 National Constitutional Conference and took part in many other national assignments.
“Nigeria will sorely miss his wealth of experience,” Lawan said
He prayed to God to grant the late Wayas’ gentle soul a sweet repose and to his loved ones, the fortitude to bear his loss.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, expressed sadness over the demise of 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 overemphasized.
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.
Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, mourned the passing of Wayas, whom he described as a true statesman and father-figure.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki condoled with the Wayas family, the people of Cross River State and Nigerians in general over the passing of the erstwhile Senate President, saying that Nigeria lost one of its most illustrious sons.
“My prayers are with the Wayas family over the passing of Dr. Joseph Wayas, who was the President of the Senate while my father, Dr. Olusola Saraki, served as Senate Leader between 1979 and 1983.
“I remember when I was younger, whenever Oloye used to visit Dr. Wayas, or Dr. Wayas came to our home on visits, he always had a knack for wanting to ensure that everyone was carried along in the solutions to the problems of the day.
“During my time as Senate President, knowing fully well how closely he and my father worked, based on his experience, I consulted with him regularly on issues relating to the running of the Senate. He was a guest at a few of our anniversary events in the 8th Senate.
“This is why, today, as we mourn the passing of this great statesman, experienced legislator, and people-centered politician, I thank Almighty God and his family for sharing him with us. I also commiserate with the people of Cross River State over Dr. Wayas’s demise, and pray for strength for his family, friends, political associates, and supporters,” Saraki stated.
A Cross River-born politician, Dr. Joseph Wayas served as Nigeria’s third Senate President between 1979 and 1983. Before becoming the Senate President, he was a member of the Nigerian Constituent Assembly between 1977 and 1978.
In his later years, Wayas served as the Deputy Chairman of the 1994/1995 National Constitutional Conference Commission that was in charge of organizing the National Conference.
Former Lagos State Governor and All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, described Wayas, who died in London on Thursday, as an important statesman and vibrant politician who served his country with total commitment.
He said his death at 80 represents the end of an era in the socio-political evolution of Nigeria, adding that the late former Senate President was until his death one of the few remaining notable politicians who played vital roles in the politics of Nigeria’s Second Republic.
In a condolence message released by his Media Office in Lagos, Tinubu, a former Senator, noted that as a politician, Dr. Wayas was excellent, and as a patriot, he served the country brilliantly in and out of public office
He said: “The passing on Thursday of Dr. Joseph Wayas at 80 is the end of an era in the socio-political evolution of Nigeria, The late former Senate President was until his death one of the few remaining notable politicians who played important roles in the politics of the Second Republic.
“His wisdom, uncanny humour, deep knowledge and understanding of Nigeria would be missed by the younger generation.
“Dr. Wayas’ most outstanding contribution to national development, unity and progress of Nigeria was when he served as the Senate President from 1979-83. He led the National Assembly, that important institution and arm of government, with exemplary commitment.
“As a prominent statesman of his era, he worked across ethnic regional and political divides to foster national unity, cohesion and stability. Elected on the platform of the defunct National Party of Nigeria, his deft management of the National Assembly with a Speaker of the House of Representatives who was not of same political party with him in a government of national unity was a testament to his character as a unifier and high capacity in people management.
“Importantly, Senator Wayas also engaged in continuous service to the country and his Cross Rivers state long after public office. He enriched the political process by being such an active political player that he even aspired to the highest office in the land in 1999.
“I commiserate with his family, associates and friends. I commiserate with Governor Ben Ayade and the great people of Cross Rivers. My condolences must also go to members of the National Assembly and indeed the people of Nigeria on his demise. May God Almighty comfort all the people he left behind and accept his soul.”
