The Senate has frowned at the continuous delay to bury the late former President of the Senate Joseph Wayas, fourteen months after he passed on, in a London hospital
The Senate through a motion by Senator Gershom Bassey (PDP Cross Rivers South), declared that the delay to bury the former Senate President is embarrassing to the Senate, Cross Rivers state where he hails from, and the Federal Government.
Late Joseph Wayas died on the 20th of November, 2021 and his remains were deposited at the morgue in London Hospital.
According to some lawmakers, sources say the delay may not be unconnected to money to evacuate him back to Nigeria from London.
The upper chamber consequently called on the Federal government to as a matter of urgency, evacuate the remains of the deceased from the London Hospital and take up the burial plans, as well as immortalize him.
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Senator Bassey informed the Senate that the remains of Joseph Wayas have been in the mortuary of a London Hospital since November 2021 after his death.
He suggested that the Senate should urgently take over the burial plans of the deceased to save the country from further embarrassment.
Some of the Senators, Jibrin Barau ( APC Kano North ), Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi ( APC Niger North), Uche Ekwunife ( PDP Anambra Central), and Enyinnaya Abaribe ( APGA Abia South), expressed sadness on the development and called on the Senate to interface with relevant authorities for a possible solution to the matter
In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, said the delay in the burial of the former Senate President, fourteen months after death is embarrassing for a presiding officer who served with distinction in the second republic from 1979 to 1983.
He added that presiding officers of the National Assembly should enjoy medical support when they leave office, which is applicable for presidents, vice presidents, and chief justice of the federation for life.
(Editor: Ena Agbanoma)
