Governor Ayade Mourns Joseph Wayas

By Akinwale Kasali and Uche Mbah

The nation has been thrown into mourning following the passing of former Senate President, Joseph Wayas.

The Second Republic Senate President passed away in a London Hospital where he had been receiving medical attention for some time.

Announcing his passing, Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade,  in a statement on Thursday, December 2, 2021

lamented the passing of Wayas, describing his death as a monumental loss to Cross River State in particular and Nigeria in general.

In the statement signed by Governor Ayade’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Christian Ita, he said Wayas left indelible footprints on the sands of time.

“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.”

According to the Governor: “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.”

He consoled the family of the former Senate President, assuring that his demise is a collective loss and the pains a shared one.

Wayas was born in Basang, Obudu, Cross River State on 21 May 1941 and attended the Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha. He went to the United Kingdom where he studied at the Higher Tottenham Technical College, London, the West Bronwich College of Commerce, Science and Technology, Birmingham and Aston University, Birmingham. Returning to Nigeria, he worked as a Manager or Controller from 1960-1969 for several companies in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Wayas was a member of the Society of International Affairs at the Lincoln University, United States.

He joined the Federal Government in 1969-72. He was Commissioner for Transport, South-Eastern State, now broken into Akwa Ibom and Cross River states from 1972-74. He was a member of the Constituent Assembly, 1977-78.

When General Olusegun Obasanjo terminated military rule in 1979, Wayas was elected to the Senate on the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) platform and appointed Senate President.

He represented the Ogoja Senatorial District.

Wayas had an excellent relationship with president Shehu Shagari, ensuring that bills were generally discussed and agreed before being introduced.

The late Senate President  used to play tennis with the US ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Thomas R. Pickering, afterwards taking Pickering to the State House at Ribadu Road to visit with President Shagari, a breach of protocol.

Under Wayas’s leadership the Senate summoned Tony Momoh, editor of the Daily Times, for contempt. This caused a major legal battle in which Momoh successfully argued that as a journalist he was empowered by the constitution to hold government accountable at all times.

While visiting the United States in September 1981, Wayas was entertained by boxer Muhammad Ali, who threw a spectacular party in his honor. Ali had previously visited Nigeria and received red-carpet treatment.

In the lead-up to the 1983 elections, Wayas was the leader of the NPN party’s “Lagos Group” that supported a change of Governor in Cross River State, in opposition to the “Home Front” led by the incumbent Governor Clement Isong.

Wayas left office along with other members of the Shagari administration when the Military staged  a coup d’etat on New Year’s eve, 1983, which ushered in Major-General General Muhammadu Buhari. He went into exile.

He returned in 1987 and was held in political detention, 1987-1988. Wayas was popular for his ability to speak Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo.

Surviving him are his wife, children and grandchildren.