Politics
Ayade mourns as ex-Senate president, Wayas, dies in London hospital
Former senate president, Dr Joseph Wayas, has died in a hospital in London after a protracted illness.
The Second Republic Senate President was 80 years old at the time of his death. He was born in Basang, Obudu, Cross River State on May 21, 1941.
Mourning his death, the Cross River state governor, Professor Ben Ayade, described Wayas as a ” monumental loss to our dear state and Nigeria”.
A press statement signed by Ayade’s Special Adviser on Media& Publicity, Christian Ita, reads in part; “As a state, Cross River is in pains as we mourn the passing of our illustrious son.
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“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.”
Wayas served as third Senate President in 1979 to 1983 before the region was truncated by a coup that installed the then General Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s head of state.
He was a founding member of the now-defunct All People’s Party. He later joined the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2002.
