Prof. Ben Ayade Cross River Governor, described the death of Second Republic Senate President, Joseph Wayas as a monumental loss to the state in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
Dr. Wayas who died in the early hours of Tuesday in a London hospital held the position from 1979 to 1983 having been elected under the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) .
Ayade, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Christian Ita, said Wayas as Senate President contributed to the deepening of Nigeria’s democratic ethos through his robust and vibrant leadership of the upper legislative chamber.
“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.
“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,” part of the statement read.
Ayade condoled with the deceased’s family, assuring them that 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,” the governor said.
The man Wayas
Wayas was born in Basang, Obudu, Cross River State on May 21, 1941 and attended the Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha. He also attended the United Kingdom where he studied at the Higher Tottenham Technical College, London, the West Bromwich College of Commerce, Science and Technology, Birmingham and Aston University, Birmingham.
His road to the Senate Presidency in 1979 was not easy.
He defeated Chief Matthew Tawo Mbu (1929-2012) of the NPP in the Ogoja Senatorial election in Cross River state on July 9, 1979. Chief Mbu was a permanent fixture in Nigeria political affairs for more than 50 years. He was a Minister in 1953 at the age of 24.
After the Senatorial election, he floored a renowned accountant, Senator David Omuenya Dafinone from Bendel south in a shadow election held at Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos on September 22, 1979 after the NPN had zoned the post of Senate President to the South South region.
