Nigerians Mourn Senator Okey Ezea

Nigeria has lost one of its serving federal lawmakers, Senator Okey Ezea, who represented Enugu North Senatorial District in the 10th Senate.

According to a statement from his family, the Labour Party senator passed away at a private hospital in Lagos at about 11:07 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, following a brief illness.

Senator Ezea, a first-term lawmaker elected in 2023, was widely recognised as an active, influential, and dedicated member of the upper chamber. At the start of the 10th Senate, he served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, later assuming leadership roles as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development.

Until his passing, he held the positions of Vice Chairman of both the Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa and NEPAD, as well as the Senate Committee on Culture and Creative Economy.

During his tenure, Senator Ezea made notable contributions to national development and legislative progress.

He sponsored the bill to establish the Federal College of Agriculture, Adani, and championed the bill for the creation of Adada State, a legacy project he pursued with determination.

He also moved several key motions, including a call for a military base in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State to curb the activities of armed bandits.

Beyond his legislative work, Senator Ezea held significant national appointments, including serving as Chairman of the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, Taraba State.

Reacting to his passing, Senate Spokesman Senator Yemi Adaramodu described the lawmaker’s death as a tragic loss to the nation. “The Senate shares the grief of this unfortunate and tragic demise of the distinguished Nigerian,” Adaramodu said. “We stand with his family, constituents, and the people of Enugu State. We pray fervently that God grants him restful immortality.”

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin,  described the late lawmaker as “a patriotic Nigerian par excellence.”

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Jibrin praised Senator Ezea as a pan-Nigerian politician whose work promoted unity and national progress.

Describing the news as shocking, Jibrin said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the immediate family of my friend, his wife, Madam Chioma, his children, the people of Enugu North Senatorial District, and Enugu State in general.

May God grant them the strength to bear this irreparable loss. Senator Okey Ezea was a patriotic Nigerian par excellence, who worked hard to enhance the standard of living of the people of Enugu North and beyond.”

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC – Abia North) also expressed deep sorrow over the death of his colleague.

“I received with profound shock and deep sorrow the heartbreaking news of the passing of my dear brother and colleague, Senator Okey Ezea (IDEKE),” he said.

Kalu described their friendship as one built on mutual respect, brotherhood, and shared Catholic faith, recalling how they often celebrated Mass together.

“Senator Ezea was a man of humility, integrity, and steadfast faith. His devotion to God and his passion for service defined him in every sense.”

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) also mourned Senator Ezea, describing him as “a good man — wise, gentle, and deeply supportive.”

In a statement issued to journalists, she recalled how Ezea played a stabilising role during her challenging moments in the Senate.

“Rest in peace, Distinguished Senator Okey Ezea. 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 highlighted Ezea’s role as a bridge-builder, respected across party, ethnic, and religious lines, due to his calm temperament and principled leadership.

She extended her condolences to the people of Enugu North Senatorial District, affirming that Kogi Central shared in their grief.

Senator Okey Ezea’s passing leaves a notable void in the Senate, where his humility, conviction, and dedication to public service were widely admired and respected. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by his family and the National Assembly in the coming days.