The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has lamented what he described as a painful season of loss within the 10th National Assembly, following the death of Senator Okechukwu Ezea, who represented Enugu North Senatorial District until his passing.
Akpabio spoke on Tuesday night at a night of tributes held in honour of the late lawmaker at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, where he reflected on the emotional toll the repeated losses have taken on the Senate.
According to him, the 10th Senate has lost three serving senators in less than two years, describing the pattern as sobering and deeply unsettling. The deceased lawmakers include Senator Ifeanyi Ubah (Anambra South), Senator Godiya Akwashiki (Nasarawa), and most recently, Senator Okechukwu Ezea (Enugu North).
“The last two years have been particularly heavy for us in the Senate,” Akpabio said. “We have lost colleagues in quick succession—men of intellect, courage, and vision. Each loss reminds us of our own mortality and the urgency of service.”
He described Senator Ezea as a diligent and committed parliamentarian who worked tirelessly until his final days, noting that his passion for legislative duty left a lasting impression on colleagues.
“Just days to the New Year, and only hours before the clock would usher in another chapter, death paid another painful visit,” Akpabio added, urging lawmakers to remember that politics must never strip leaders of their humanity.
He called on Nigerians to embrace compassion, unity, and care for one another, stressing that legacy is built not on power or position, but on service and love for others.
In her tribute, Interim National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, described the late senator as a principled politician who remained steadfastly loyal to the party throughout his political career.
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“Despite pressures from various quarters, he remained committed to the Labour Party on whose platform he was elected,” she said, noting that Ezea was the only Labour Party member from Enugu State in the National Assembly who refused to defect.
Usman revealed that Senator Ezea’s ties to the party predated the 2023 elections, recalling that he had served as the Labour Party’s governorship candidate in Enugu State in 2007.
Also paying tribute, Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, condoled with the family and colleagues of the deceased, urging his children to take comfort in the enduring legacy and good name their father left behind.
The solemn event was attended by several prominent figures, including former Senate President Ken Nnamani, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Senator Victor Umeh, and former Voice of Nigeria Director-General Osita Okechukwu, among others.