The Chairman, Senate Committee On Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi, has described the death of the former Senate President, the late Dr Joseph Wayas as a monumental loss that has created an unimaginable vacuum in the nation’s affairs.
Senator Nwaoboshi said that the late Elder Statesman has left an indelible mark in the political scene of the country and condoled with the immediate family, the Government and people of Cross River State, the South-South geopolitical region and the entire nation.
The Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District further likened Dr Joseph Wayas to a Democratic Pillar and Political Stabiliser, whom he said, dedicated his prime to the enthronement of democracy and sustainability in the country’s political scene and will be greatly missed.
He said, Dr Wayas was the Second Republic President of the Senate during the administration of Alhaji Shehu Shagari between October 1, 1979 and December 31, 1983. Dr Alex Ekwueme was the Vice President while Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke was the Speaker, House of Representatives.
The death of Dr Wayas indicated that most of the key players of that era have gone to the great beyond. He was the 4th President of the Nigerian Senate.
In his tribute on the transition of Dr Wayas, Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi, aka SPON described him as a flamboyant, vibrant and distinguished parliamentarian who left his positive footprints in the sand of time.
“Dr Joseph Wayas was an outstanding Democrat and a die-hard believer and Crusader of a “One Nigeria” that was commited to the prevalence of the Rule of law, Equity and Political Sanctity of this country; he was a sacrificial leader that passionately watered the legislative plantation of the Second Republic, between 1979 to 1983 and history will forever be kind to him”.