A former Nigerian senate president in the Second Republic, Dr Joseph Wayas, has died in a London.
According to Christian Ita, special adviser to the Cross River governor on media and publicity, Wayas died in the early hours of Thursday in a London hospital.
He quoted the governor as saying Wayas’ death is a “monumental loss” to the state and Nigeria.
The governor said Wayas left “indelible footprints on the sands of time”.
“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,” he said.
The governor condoled with the family of Wayas and said his death is 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 added.
Wayas, born May 21, 1941, served as Nigeria’s senate president between 1979 and 1983.
He was the first senate president to act as president of Nigeria in 1983 following the absence of late President Shehu Shagari and vice president, Dr. Alex Ekwueme (1932-2017) who both travelled outside the country. He acted for sixteen days.
Wayas was the second senate president to have come from south-south geo-political zone. The first was Chief Dennis Osadebay (1911-1994) from Asaba, Delta State.
In 1983, he became the first senate president to be re-elected. The second was Mr. David Mark.
