Enugu State is mourning as its maverick Senator, Okey Ezea (LP, Enugu North), dies at a Lagos hospital, aged 62. His family said the senator passed away Tuesday November 18, 2025.
The Senator’s son, Jideofor, confirmed in a release that their father passed away at a private hospital in Lagos at about 11:07p.m. on Tuesday. He did not disclose the cause of death but simply said it was after “a brief illness.”
Jideofor Ezea said the family is grieving the “painful loss” and appealed for prayers for the family during this period.
Senator Ezea stuck to his principles to the very end, refusing to join the two exodus of Labour Party legislators to other parties. The first exodus was a local defection of local legislators from Labour to PDP, the governor’s party. In the second, which occured only last month, all but Ezea defected from PDP to APC.
He remained active and influential voice in the Senate until his final days. On arrival at the National Assembly, the Senate appointed him chair of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions. He assumed other strategic roles, including Vice Chairman of the Committee on Housing and Urban Development. Before his passing, he was also 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.
An active legislator
His legislative record is marked by purposeful 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 project he pursued “with unwavering commitment until his illness,” according to his son. He also moved several motions on the Senate floor, including the call for a military base in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area to curb recurring attacks by herdsmen.
Before winning the Enugu North Senate seat in 2023 under the Labour Party, Senator Ezea was a founding member of the APC in Enugu State, playing a pivotal role in its establishment in 2013. He was a three-time governorship contender — twice under the Labour Party and once under the APC. He staged the biggest political upset in the state by defeating incumbent Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to win his 2023 Senate election. His family described this as “a defining milestone” in his political career.
Beyond politics, Ezea served as Chairman of the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, Taraba State.
The Senator is survived by his wife, Chioma, and four children.
