A call for the immortalization of the late Senator Okey Ezea, who represented the Enugu North Senatorial District until his death on November 18, has been made by Ambassador Ejike Eze, a retired Career Diplomat and former Assistant to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo on Protocols and Security. Speaking to newsmen in Nsukka on Tuesday, Eze noted that Ezea died while actively serving his fatherland and constituents, a sacrifice he believes warrants lasting state recognition.
“The Enugu State Government should find something in the state to immortalise the late Senator who died while serving his fatherland,” Eze urged, while commending Governor Peter Mbah for the planned state burial for the deceased lawmaker.
Eze, who was the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial Candidate for Enugu North in the 2023 elections, described the late Ezea, who was elected on the Labour Party platform, as a humble politician, a regular voice on the floor of the 10th Senate, and a consistent advocate for good governance.
The diplomat’s sentiments were echoed by national leaders. He quoted the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, who mourned Ezea, saying the Senate had lost a principled voice who contributed “with clarity, courage, and unshakable conviction,” noting his absence would be deeply felt. Similarly, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah had previously reacted to the sudden death by stating, “In all his political struggles, one fact was evident, he loved Enugu State deeply and remained an advocate of good governance, his death is a huge loss to Enugu State and Nigeria.”
Ambassador Eze noted that the untimely death of Senator Ezea has robbed the senatorial district of an illustrious son who always prioritized the Nsukka people. He pointed out that as a Senator, Ezea invested his time and energy in pursuing the welfare of the district, Enugu State, and the actualization of Adada State creation. His legislative track record included proposed bills and many motions, notably one advocating for the establishment of a Military Base at Uzo-Uwani to tackle recurring security challenges in the area.
Regarding the inevitable conversation about who will replace the late Senator, Eze strongly urged politicians in the district to refrain from any such discussions until Ezea has been properly buried. “To me I don’t think it’s proper for anyone to start conversation on who will replace our late Senator in Senate when he has not been buried,” he stated. Eze then added that after the burial, it would be the responsibility of Governor Peter Mbah, whom he now refers to as the leader of the now “APC controlled” Enugu State, along with other relevant party stakeholders, to begin the process of selecting a party candidate for the upcoming Senatorial by-election in Enugu North.
It is recalled that Senator Okey Ezea, who died on November 18, 2025, in Lagos after a brief illness, defeated the immediate past Governor of Enugu State, Chief Lawrence Ugwuanyi (PDP), in the 2023 senatorial elections, a contest that also featured Ambassador Eze (APC).
