Dare Babalola
Enugu North senator, Okechukwu Ezea, has passed away.
His colleague, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, confirmed his demise in a post on her verified Facebook account on Wednesday.
She described the late lawmaker as a good, wise, and gentle man whose prayers supported her through her darkest moments.
She wrote, “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.
“Enugu North Senatorial District, Kogi Central honors your Senator and mourns with you.”
Ezea, born 11 August 1963, was a Nigerian politician, lawyer, and businessman, who served as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Enugu North Senatorial District since 2023.
Ezra was born in Enugu State, Nigeria, to Theresa (née Attamah) and James Ezea from Enugu State. He attended Community Primary School, Umachi in Enugu-Ezike, and Nsukka High School in Nsukka for his primary and secondary education respectively. Ezea proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he studied political science, graduating with BSc in 1986. Ezea also had his LL.B and LL.M in law from the University of Lagos, Akoka.
Ezea became a local politician while still in the University of Nigeria, where he held school positions. In 2007, he became a full-time politician and contested as the candidate for Labour Party in the 2007 Enugu State gubernatorial 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 Progressive Congress in Enugu and he became the candidate in 2015. In 2018, Ezea was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari as 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 25 February 2023, Ezea was elected as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where he represented Enugu North Senatorial District until his death.
