By A former president of the Nigerian Senate in the Second Republic, Joseph Wayas has passed away.
He was said to have died in the early hours of Tuesday in a London hospital, at the age of 80.
Confirming the development, the special adviser to the Cross River governor on media and publicity, Christian Ita, in a statement, quoted his principal, Ben Ayade, as saying Wayas’ death is a “monumental loss” to the state and Nigeria.
The statement read in part, “As a state, Cross River is in pains as we mourn the passing of our illustrious son. He was a rare gem. Dr Wayas’ demise is indeed a monumental loss to our dear state and Nigeria.
“As Senate President, Dr Wayas contributed to the deepening of Nigeria’s democratic ethos through his robust and vibrant leadership of the upper legislative chamber.
“And since his retirement from active politics, the former Senate President had been playing a fatherly and stabilising role in the politics and affairs of our state.
Ayade also condoled with the family of Wayas, describing his passing as a “collective loss and the pains a shared one”.
“We are with you in this moment of grief. We have you in our hearts and prayers,” he said.
The Cross Rivers-born Wayas served as the third Senate President between 1979 and 1983 before the coup that installed the then General Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s Head of State.
