Ayade keeps mum over proposed burial date of former Senate President, Wayas

 Governor of Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade is reported to be keeping quiet over the burial of former Senate President, Senator Joseph Wayas.

The first son of the late Senate President, Joe Wayas jr said he has since proposed May 13, 2023 to the governor as burial date for the ex-lawmaker.

The governor was expected to have confirmed suitability of the date or otherwise but it appears the governor has been too engaged to remember.

This situation has kept the Wayas family and his immediate community in suspense, even as the remains of the late former Senate President remain in a London morgue for over 16 months.

In an interaction with Joe Wayas jr, he said they were still waiting on Governor Ayade to react to their proposal.

It would be recalled that Cross River State senators in the National Assembly called on the federal government to take up the burial plans of late Wayas and also see to his burial before the end of April, 2023. So far, this has not been regarded.

The delay is said to have become an embarrassment to the state and country.

Early in April 2023, serving Senators Gershom Bassey, Sandy Onor and Jarigbe Agom, all from Cross River State, have advocated that the federal government take up the funeral immediately.

Late Joseph Wayas led the Senate from 1979 to 1983.

President of Basang Development Association (BDA), Anyawho Sylvanus, said his people, both at home and in diaspora do appreciate the call by Cross River Senators for federal government intervention in the burial of their son.

The Bassang community has also requested that a national library be built in Wayas’ compound and the College of Education campus in Bebi community be renamed Wayas University of Agriculture.

They have also called for the establishment of an educational foundation in his name.