OBITUARY: Labour Party’s Surviving Senator, Okey Ezea is Dead

By Our Reporter

Labour Party’s surviving Senator, Dr. Okey Ezea, is dead. Ezea who represented Enugu North senatorial District on the red chamber reportedly died on Tuesday in Lagos while receiving treatment in a private hospital.

The deceased’s son, Mr Jideofor Ezea, confirmed that the senator’s death in a statement made available to press.

The statement read: “With profound grief, the family of Distinguished Senator Okey Ezea, who represented Enugu North Senatorial District in the 10th Senate, announces his passing. The Senator died at a private hospital in Lagos at about 11:07 p.m. on Tuesday, 18th November, 2025, after a brief illness.

Until his demise, Senator Ezea remained an active and influential voice in the 10th Senate. At the commencement of the legislative session, he served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions. He later assumed other strategic roles, including Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development. At the time of his death, he was 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.

Senator Ezea’s legislative record was defined by purposeful and impactful contributions. He sponsored the bill to establish the Federal College of Agriculture, Adani, and championed the bill for the creation of Adada State, a legacy bill he pursued with unwavering commitment until his illness. He also moved several motions on the Senate floor, notably the motion calling for the establishment of a military base in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State to curb the persistent attacks and killings by rampaging herdsmen.

Before contesting and winning the Enugu North Senate seat in 2023 under the Labour Party, Senator Ezea had been a founding member of the APC and played a pivotal role in building the party’s foundation in Enugu State in 2013.

He was a three-time governorship contender -first in 2007 and 2011 under the Labour Party, and again in 2015 under the APC.

His victory in 2023 where he defeated an incumbent governor to win the senate, was a defining milestone in his political journey.

Beyond elective politics, Senator Ezea held notable national appointments, including his tenure as Chairman of the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, Taraba State.

Until his passing, he remained the only federal lawmaker from Enugu State elected on the Labour Party platform in 2023 who, on principle, refused to defect to the ruling party – standing firm against the pressure to ditch the party that sponsored him to the senate.