Paramount Ruler Embarrassed Over Delay In Burying Joseph Wayas, Summons Community Leaders

The paramount ruler of Obanliku LGA of Cross River State, HRM Ernest Item, has said that he and his council have been embarrassed over the delay and issues surrounding the burial of the former Senate President, Dr Joseph Wayas.

Wayas died in a London hospital over 15 months ago after a protracted illness.

As a result, the paramount ruler summoned the first son of the former Senate President, Mr Joseph Wayas jr, and the Basang community leaders to explain the reason for the continued delay.

Basang community is where the former Senate President hailed from.

The state government intervened in his health situation when they sent former Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu, to manage his health in London.

Whilst the former Senate President was still struggling with his health, the federal government had also sent medical support for about four months, according to the first son, Wayas jr.

When Wayas eventually died, the state government formed a funeral committee headed by former Minister of Justice/Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, and former executive secretary of the National Planning Commission, NPC, Fidelis Ugbo as Secretary.

Gov Ben Ayade further released N200 million for the funeral, from where N100 million was advanced to the family burial committee to enable them to defray outstanding issues and fly the body back home.

Controversies had reportedly set in over control and expenses of the fund. This led to the resignations of Agabi and Ugbo from the state funeral committee.

Fingers were pointed to the first son. He vehemently denied knowledge of the expenses and challenged those responsible for accountability.

In a telephone interview, the President of Basang Nation, Mr Sylvanus Anyawho, said the delay had become very embarrassing.

“This accounts for the reason the Paramount ruler had to summoned us, including the first son, to a critical meeting a few days ago.

“The paramount ruler has decided to be personally involved in order to facilitate swift attention to the funeral.

“Joe Wayas Jr could not fly down from his base in Abuja to attend the meeting in the palace of the paramount ruler in Obanliku LGA due to his health issues. The paramount ruler understood and despatched a team to meet with him in Abuja where he took time to explain in details what transpired with the fund released by state government.”

He said Wayas jr has agreed to attend the next meeting slated to hold soon, either in Abuja or Calabar, after explaining that his health situation cannot withstand the long road journey from Calabar airport to Obanliku.

“It is at this meeting that we will know how much of the fund actually remains. We should be able to cross the tees and the I’s.

“After the meeting, we will proceed to meet with Governor Ben Ayade to brief him and plead for his understanding, so that we can bury the former number three man before expiration of his tenure in May 2023.”

According to him, the paramount ruler is determined to resolve all issues to pave the way for the burial before May 2023