The death of the former Senate President in the Second Republic, Joseph Wayas, has been announced.
Naija News reports that Wayas became the Senate President of Nigeria in 1979 and left office in 1983.
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross Rivers State made this known in a statement issued on Thursday by his spokesman, Christian Ita.
According to the governor, the former Senate President gave up the ghost in the early hours of Tuesday in a London hospital.
Ayade said the late politician has left a lasting legacy that will be remembered for a long time, describing the death of the 80-year-old as a monumental loss to the state and Nigeria.
He, however, condoled with the family of Wayas and said his death is a “collective loss and the pains a shared one”.
The statement reads: “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.”
This article was originally published on Naija News