Joseph Wayas, a former Senate president, has died at the age of 80.
In a statement issued by Christian Ita, the Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor on Media and Publicity, Wayas, who was the President of the Senate in the Second Republic, died in the early hours of Tuesday in a London hospital.
Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State, described the death of the politician as a “monumental loss” to the state and Nigeria.
The statement read: “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,” Ayade was quoted as saying.
“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.”
Governor Ayade condoled with the family of Wayas and said his death is a “collective loss and the pains a shared one”.
Wayas, born May 21, 1941, served as Nigeria’s senate president between 1979 and 1983.
