Amb. Ejike Eze a retired Career Diplomat and former Assistant to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo on Protocols and Security says late Sen Okey Ezea who represented Enugu North Senatorial District in the 10th Senate but died on November 18, should be immortalised.
Eze said this in Nsukka on Tuesday while speaking with newsmen, he noted that Ezea died on active service while representing the Enugu North Senatorial District in particular and Enugu State in general.
“The Enugu State Government should find something in the state to immortalise the late Senator who died while serving his fatherland.
“I commend Enugu State Government for the proposed State burial for the late Senator and urged Gov Peter Mbah, the performing governor of Enugu State to immortalise the late Senator, “he said.
Eze who was the Senatorial Candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Enugu North Senatorial District in 2023 general elections described late Ezea as a humble politician, one advocated for good governance and a regular voice in the floor of 10th Senate.
” The President of the Senate, Distinguished Godswill Akpabio while reacting to Ezea’s death said “Senate has lost a principled voice, one who contributed with clarity, courage, and unshakable conviction, his absence will be deeply felt within our legislative family”.
“Gov Peter Mbah of Enugu State also while reacting to the sudden death of Ezea said ” 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”, he said.
The career diplomat noted that the death of Sen Ezea had robbed the Senatorial district of illustrious son, a voice in Senate and one who always put Nsukka people first before any other consideration.
“Ezea as Senator, invested more of his time and energy in pursuing the welfare of the district, Enugu State as well as how to actualise the creation of Adada State.
” Late Ezea as part of his effective representation proposed bills and moved many motions in the floor of the Senate including a motion calling for a establishment of Military Base at Uzo-Uwani to address frequent security issues in the area,”he said.
On who replaces late Sen Ezea in Senate, Eze urged politicians in the district to stop any conversation on whó replaces him until the late Senator is 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.
“Enugu State is now APC controlled State and Gov Peter Mbah is the Leader of the party in the state, after the burial, it’s governor’s responsibility with other relivant party stakeholders in the state to start shopping who will be the party candidate in the Senatorial by-election in Enugu North Senatorial District,”Amb Eze added.
Our Correspondent gathered that, in 2023 general elections Amb. Eze contested on the platform of APC, Chief Lawrence Ugwuanyi, the immediate past Governor of Enugu State now nominated by President Bola Tinubu as Ambassador was People Democratic Party candidate.
While late Sen Okey Ezea was the Candidate of Labour Party, the three vied for Enugu North Senatorial District senate position in 2023 general elections.
It would be recalled that, late Sen Okey Ezea who represented Enugu North Senatorial District in 10th Senate, died on November 18, 2025 in Lagos after brief illness.