Political leaders, colleagues, and admirers on Tuesday gathered at the Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, to pay homage to the late Senator Okechukwu Cleophas Ezea during a Night of Tributes in his honour.
The event provided a platform for friends, political associates, and national leaders to reflect on the life and legacy of a lawmaker remembered for his integrity, consistency, and unwavering commitment to public service.
The senator Died on November 18, 2025 in Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described Senator Ezea’s passing as a profound loss not only to the legislature but to Nigeria’s democratic institutions. “The National Assembly is mourning not just a colleague but a critical part of its institutional memory,” Akpabio said. “This gathering marks a moment of collective reflection for the Senate as an institution. Public service is not a destination—it is a responsibility to uplift communities, protect institutions, and leave behind standards that outlive individual tenures.”
Akpabio emphasised that the legislature has faced repeated losses of senior lawmakers over the past two years, a trend that has tested the resilience and continuity of parliamentary work. “We have lost men of intellect, courage, and vision—senators who arrived early, worked late, asked difficult questions, and remained engaged until the end,” he said. “Each loss has implications for institutional continuity and legislative memory.”
The Senate President reflected on Ezea’s contributions to legislative service, describing him as a lawmaker who saw office as a responsibility to strengthen institutions rather than merely occupy them. “Senator Ezea embodied the idea that leadership requires humility, courage, and faith,” he said. “In moments like this, the Senate is reminded that its strength does not lie in individuals alone, but in the values and discipline that guide those who serve within it.”
Akpabio also extended the Senate’s condolences to Ezea’s family, noting that the late senator’s passing created a vacuum within the chamber, his state, and the national political space. “To the family, we say be strong. To the children, your father’s name is your inheritance. To the nation, let us honour him not merely with words, but by preserving the standards he represented,” he said.
Former Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, speaking at the event, hailed Ezea as a beacon of integrity and moral courage in Nigeria’s political landscape. “In a country where politics is too often defined by ambition over integrity, Senator Ezea stood apart,” Obi said. “He lived a life of purpose—honest, principled, and consistent in all he did. Whether in the morning, afternoon, or evening, O.K. would always respond with truth. Even in the smallest matters, he was reliable. He gave counsel freely, guided me and many others, and lived with a moral consistency that is all too rare in our nation.”
Obi urged politicians and public office holders to take a cue from Ezea’s example, stressing that leadership is about service rather than power or personal gain. “If even five percent of our politicians lived with the honesty, courage, and commitment that he displayed every day, our country would be far stronger and better,” he said. “Your father gave you more than a name. He gave you a life that teaches integrity, service, and courage.”
Senator Nenadi E. Usman, Interim National Chairman of the Labour Party, also paid tribute, highlighting Ezea’s steadfast loyalty to the party and his people. She recalled that even hours before his death on 18th November 2025, Ezea had taken time to guide the selection of an Enugu indigene for a key party position, demonstrating his enduring commitment to his state and to public service.
“Senator Ezea’s life and legacy remind us that true leadership is measured not by position or power, but by commitment to principles and the courage to uphold them until the end,” Usman said. She noted that Ezea remained the only Labour Party member in the National Assembly from Enugu State who refused to defect, standing firm even when others abandoned the party platform.
Former Senate President Ken Nnamani, who chaired the Night of Tributes, described Ezea as a resilient politician whose life was defined by courage, community engagement, and dedication to public service. “In every political contest and at every critical moment, he never stood aside,” Nnamani said. “Whether there was applause or resistance, he remained fully engaged. He spared no effort in mobilising people and carrying everyone along, regardless of status or background.”
Nnamani recalled Ezea’s repeated willingness to contest public office as a mark of courage and consistency, culminating in his eventual election to the National Assembly. “His colleagues will attest that he was a sound, thoughtful, and disciplined representative—one who studied the rules, knew when to speak, and when silence was more effective,” he said. “He lived a full and meaningful life defined by service, resilience, and engagement with his community.”
The Night of Tributes attracted political leaders, associates, and community members, reflecting the wide reach of Ezea’s influence and the depth of the relationships he cultivated over his life. Speakers consistently urged attendees to celebrate his life and contributions, rather than dwell solely on grief.
“Senator Okechukwu Ezea will be deeply missed,” Akpabio concluded. “But his contributions, integrity, and example remain a guiding light for all who believe in service, democratic ideals, and the values that sustain our institutions. Let us honour him by strengthening the institution he served and upholding the principles he cherished.”
Ezea’s passing has left a vacuum not only in Enugu State’s representation but also within the broader political discourse in Nigeria, where integrity, consistency, and loyalty are often in short supply. His legacy, celebrated by colleagues and leaders at Tuesday’s event, served as a reminder of the enduring impact a principled public servant can leave on both institutions and communities.
Akpabio, Obi, Nenadi Lead Tributes to Ezea at Night Ceremony
