Second Republic Senate President, Dr. Joseph Wayas, is dead.
He died in the early hours of Tuesday at a London hospital at the age of 80.
Wayas was Nigeria’s Senate President between 1979 and 1983.
The announcement of his death was made by the Special Adviser to Cross River State Governor on Media and Publicity, Christian Ita, in a statement.
Ita said the governor of the state, Ben Ayade, described the death of Wayas as a monumental loss to the state and Nigeria in general.
The statement reads in part: “As a state, Cross River is in pains as we mourn the passing of our illustrious son. He was a rare gem. The demise of Dr Wayas 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.
“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.”
Commiserating with the family of the deceased, Ayade was quoted as having said: “We are with you in this moment of grief. We have you in our hearts and prayers.’’
