Senator Wayas was a Non-partisan Legislator, Says Odebiyi

Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu in Abuja

A member of the National Assembly, Senator Tolu Odebiyi, has expressed sadness over the death of the Second Republic Senate President, Dr. Joseph Wayas.

Odebiyi in a personal tribute described the late former lawmaker as a non-partisan, distinguished statesman and one of the best Senate Presidents of Nigeria.

He said Senator Wayas was a colleague of his late father, Senator Jonathan Akinremi Odebiyi, during the Second Republic between 1979 and 1983.

According to him, while Senator Wayas was the President of the Senate, his father was the leader of the opposition party in the Senate and was among the fortunate few who competed against Senator Wayas at the highest levels of politics, particularly the National Assembly.

He noted that during his tenure as Senate President, Wayas displayed an unusual ability to see past political differences in search of common ground, adding that the late lawmaker was bi-partisan on several issues

The tribute read in part, “It is an honour to celebrate the life of a very distinguished statesman and leader, and one of the best Senate Presidents of our great Nation, Nigeria, Senator (Dr.) Joseph Wayas. He tried to be bi-partisan on several issues and gave people like my father the opportunity to present an opponent’s side, giving a compelling explanation of why their view was superior and why others should consider their position and if not, likely form their own counter-arguments against that point of view. I recall my father mentioning several times that he made him a better opposing leader, just as he made the Senate and Nigeria better. Dr. Wayas was the first Senate President to act as President of Nigeria following the absence of President Shehu Shagari and his Vice, Dr. Alex Ifeanyi Ekwueme who both travelled outside the country in 1983.

“Senator Wayas was compassionate and had a large heart. He was known to extend goodwill to his friends and was benevolent to those in dire need. I remember a particular incident where Senator Wayas went to great lengths to ensure my sister got admission to a university in the United States of America despite the fact that the school was starting in less than two weeks. He was persuasive in convincing my dad to send my sister to the United States of America despite his grave reservations on the matter. My sister’s move to the United States of America was largely due to his assistance and my family will be forever grateful to him for making that transition happen.

“I was also privy to witness the amiable and social side of Senator Wayas. He loved people from different backgrounds and accommodated both rich and poor. He loved and enjoyed the good trappings of life and often threw exclusive parties with notable celebrities such as the legendary American professional boxer, Muhammad Ali, in his then residence in the New York area. It was during one of such parties that I became good friends with his children, Joseph Wayas Jr and Donna. Dr. Wayas who was from Basang, Obudu in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State was also a quintessential gentleman that embodied great courage and clout. He carried himself with grace and elegance. While I kept in touch with his family after his stint in the Senate, it was regrettable to learn just a few years ago that his health had deteriorated and he was struggling with his health challenges.”