By Ademuyiwa Balikis
Senator Okey Ezea, who represented Enugu North Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly, has died. He passed away on Tuesday, after a brief illness, according to an official statement issued by his son, Jideofor Ezea.
The family confirmed that the senator died at a private hospital in Lagos, bringing an end to a political career that spanned decades and remained active until his final days.
Senator Ezea served in several key positions in the Senate. At the start of the 10th Senate, he chaired the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions before moving into additional leadership roles. He later became the Vice Chairman of the Committee on Housing and Urban Development, and until his death, he held dual roles as Vice Chairman of the Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa and NEPAD and Vice Chairman of the Committee on Culture and Creative Economy.
His legislative record included sponsoring the bill establishing the Federal College of Agriculture, Adani, as well as championing the bill for the creation of Adada State, a long standing demand in his constituency. He also moved several motions, including a call for the establishment of a military base in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area to address persistent attacks by armed herdsmen.
Before his election to the Senate in 2023 under the Labour Party, Senator Ezea was a prominent figure in Enugu politics. He was a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State and contested the governorship three times, twice under the Labour Party and once under the APC. His eventual senatorial victory in 2023, where he defeated an incumbent governor, became one of the defining moments of his political journey.
He previously held national appointments, including serving as the Chairman of the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, in Taraba State.
According to the family, he remained the only Labour Party federal lawmaker from Enugu State who refused to defect in 2023, choosing to remain loyal to the party that sponsored him.
Tributes began to pour in from lawmakers and political associates, many of whom described the senator’s passing as a painful loss to the National Assembly and the people of Enugu North.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin described the development as shocking, praising Ezea’s contributions as a federal lawmaker.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu called the news heartbreaking and remembered him as a close colleague.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan shared a personal message recalling his kindness and the support he offered her during difficult moments.
Senator Okey Ezea is survived by his wife, Chioma, and four children.
