Senator Okey Ezea, has died y in the United Kingdom while receiving medical treatment.
He was aged 62.
Ezea, represented Enugu North Senatorial District, was elected on the Labour Party platform, and is the only LP member from Enugu State in the 10th National Assembly.
He is the second serving senator from the South-East to die within two years, after that of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah of Anambra State, who also passed away in London in July 2024 at the age of 52.
In 2007, he contested as the candidate for the Labour Party in the 20027 Enugu State governorship election.. The result of the election was overturned after a court challenge and the Enugu State Governorship Election Tribunal.
In 2013 Ezea co-founded part of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu and became the candidate in 2015. In 2018,late former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed the Chairman of the governing board, Federal Medical Center in jalingo, Taraba State, a position he held until he resigned in 2022 to join the Labour Party. On February 23, 2023, Ezea was elected as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where he represented Enugu North Senatorial district.
The news of the Senator’s death reached the National Assembly Wednesday, throwing the Red Chamber into mourning with his colleagues paying him tributes.
They said Senator Ezea was a humble, principled, and prayerful parliamentarian whose loss leaves a deep void in the chamber.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, (Abia, APC), said he received the news “with profound shock and deep sorrow,” adding that Ezea was “my dear brother and colleague.”
Kalu said “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 said he and Ezea 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.”
Kalu also condoled with Governor Peter Mbah, the Nsukka community, and the deceased’s family, praying that God grants them the strength to bear the loss.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central alos paid tribute to the late senator, describing 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.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, “Enugu North Senatorial District, Kogi Central honours your senator and mourns with you. Rest in peace, Distinguished Senator Okey Ezea.”
