JUST IN: Ex-Senate President Joseph Wayas is Dead

Joseph Wayas.

Former Senate President Joseph Wayas is Dead

EKO HOT BLOG reports that former Senate President in the Second Republic Joseph Wayas is dead, governor of Cross River State Ben Ayade announced on Thursday.

Wayas reportedly died in a London hospital. He was aged 80.

Mr Ayade, in a statement by his spokesman Christian Ita, said Wayas’ death was a monumental loss to the state and Nigeria.

“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 in the statement.

“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 was born in Basang, Obudu, Cross River State on May 21, 1941.

He had his secondary school education at Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha before he went to the United Kingdom where he studied at the Higher Tottenham Technical College, London.

The former senate president also attended the West Bromwich College of Commerce, Science and Technology, Birmingham and Aston University, Birmingham.

Ways 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.

Wayas was a founding member of the now-defunct All People’s Party. He later joined the opposition People’s Democratic Party in 2002.

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Ify Davies