By Lekan Sowande, Abuja.
The Nigerian Senate was on Wednesday thrown into mourning with the death of Senator Okey Ezea, who represented Enugu North Senatorial District, in the Eastern part of the country.
Senator Ezea, who reportedly passed away while receiving medical treatment, was elected on the Labour Party platform and remained the only party member from Enugu State in the 10th National Assembly.
His death marks the second serving senator from the South-East to die within two years after the demise of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah of Anambra State, who also passed away in London in July 2024 at the age of 52.
As news of his passing reached the National Assembly, colleagues paid tributes, describing him as a humble, principled, and prayerful parliamentarian whose loss leaves a deep void in the chamber.
Promotion of unity
Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, who extolled the virtues of the late lawmaker, described him as a pan-Nigerian politician.
He was, until his demise, the Vice Chairman of both the Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa and NEPAD, and the Senate Committee on Culture and Creative Economy, and contributed immensely to the promotion of unity and progress in the country.
Describing his death as shocking, Senator Barau said the late Enugu politician would be remembered for his commitment to the Nigerian project through his various contributions in and outside the Senate.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North, said he received the news “with profound shock and deep sorrow,” describing Ezea as “my dear brother and colleague.”
Senator Kalu stated, “His death is a painful blow that has left me personally devastated. Senator Ezea was more than a fellow legislator. He was a friend with whom I shared a close and sincere bond. Our friendship was built on mutual respect, brotherhood, and genuine affection.”
He recalled their shared Catholic faith and moments of worship. The former Abia governor extended condolences to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the people of Enugu State, saying, “The Senate has lost a principled voice, one who contributed with clarity, courage, and unshakable conviction.”
Senator Kalu also commiserated with Governor Peter Mbah, the Nsukka community, and the deceased’s family.
Encouragement
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central described Senator Ezea as a gentle and wise colleague whose encouragement sustained her during difficult moments.
“You were a good man! Wise and gentle. Your prayers kept me going through my darkest moments, and I will miss you in chambers,” she wrote.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said, “Enugu North Senatorial District, Kogi Central honours your senator and mourns with you. Rest in peace, Distinguished Senator Okey Ezea”.
Beyond the National Assembly, Senator Ezea had a significant political and public service career.
Before contesting and winning the Enugu North Senate seat in 2023 under the Labour Party, he was a founding member of the APC and played a key role in building the party’s structure in Enugu State in 2013.
He contested the governorship three times—twice under the Labour Party in 2007 and 2011, and again in 2015 under the APC.
His election to the Senate in 2023, in which he defeated an incumbent governor, was widely regarded as a major political upset.
He also held notable national appointments, including serving as Chairman of the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, Taraba State.
The Senate is expected to formally address his death at plenary, with a minute of silence likely to be observed in his honour, as is customary in legislative tradition.
Lateefah Ibrahim