Abuja, Dec. 2, 2021

National Chairman-elect of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Iyorchia Ayu, on Thursday, mourned the passing away of the Second Republic Senate President, Dr Joseph Wayas.

Ayu, in a statement issued by his Media Office in Abuja, described the late Wayas as a quintessential democrat, who left bold prints on the politics and political landscape of the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wayas died in London in the early hours of Tuesday during a brief illness, at the age of 80.

Recalling Wayas’ role in the second republic, Ayu, who himself was once a senate president, said that he brought stability, colour, style and depth to his leadership of at the National Assembly.

He said that the former senate president of the botched second republic dedicated his life to the service of his fatherland.

“He was a great man, a quintessential democrat and outstanding statesman, who left very bold prints, both on the politics and political history of Nigeria.

“As senate president in the second republic, he brought stability, style and depth to his leadership of the National Assembly at the time.

“Even after the collapse of the second republic, Wayas continued to be a stabilising force. We recall his work as a statesman at the 1994 Constitutional Conference.

“I wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to his family, the people and government of Cross River as well as the Federal Government of Nigeria,” he said.

While regretting that Nigeria would miss Wayas’ fatherly advice, Ayu prayed for God to grant him eternal rest and give his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.