Benjamin Chaha: National Loss as Former House of Reps Speaker Dies
- Nigeria has lost one of its prominent political stakeholders and former House of Reps Speaker, Benjamin Chaha
- Chaha, an indigene of Benue state, had been reportedly sick for a while before he eventually died on Wednesday afternoon, March 9
- The deceased was elected as the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the second tenure of President Shehu Shagari in 1983
Ukum LGA, Benue state - Benjamin Chaha, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Second Republic, is dead.
Chaha who was born in 1940 was said to have been sick for a while before he died Wednesday afternoon, March 9, The Punch reported.
Source: Getty Images
The deceased who hailed from the Ukum local government area of Benue state was elected to the House of Representatives on the platform of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the 1983 general elections.
He was elected as the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the second tenure of President Shehu Shagari in 1983.
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Son confirms death
The Punch stated that the news of Chaha's death was confirmed by his first son, Justice Steven Chaha.
He, however, declined further comment, saying further details will be available on Thursday, March 10.
Monumental loss: Former Senate president dies in London hospital
In another report, Joseph Wayas, a former president of the Senate in the Second Republic, died at the age of 80.
The governor of Cross River state, Ben Ayade, made this known via a Facebook post on Thursday, December 2, 2021.
Governor Ayade described Wayas' death as "a monumental loss" to Cross River state and Nigeria.
He said:
"I received with profound sense of loss and shock, the sad news of the death of Former President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr. Joseph Wayas. 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."
Chief Ernest Shonekan dies
In a related development, Chief Ernest Shonekan, the leader of the defunct Interim National Government set up to succeed General Ibrahim Babangida's regime, died in Lagos at the age of 85 on Tuesday, January 11.
Shonekan headed the then government between August 26 and November 17, 1993, when he was removed from office in a coup orchestrated by late General Sani Abacha.
Source: Legit.ng
