The Senator representing Imo North, Engr. Patrick C. Ndubueze, fondly called the Legacy Senator of the South East, on Wednesday joined other Senators in a Validatory Session for the late Sen. Okechukwu Ezea, who represented Enugu North District on the platform of the Labour Party.
It would be recalled that Okechukwu Ezea died on 18 November, 2025 at the age of 62.
Leaving the Senate Chambers after the Validatory Session, Sen. Ndubueze was heard describing Late Ezea a complete gentleman and passionate ambassador of the masses, who wasuncompromising over the well-being of his constituents.
The Legacy Senator further asserted that the death of Late Senator Ezea was a big loss to Enugu State, the South East Zone and Nigeria in general.
Before commencement of the Valedictory Session, the remains of the late lawmaker was laid in state at the foyer of the Senate Chamber.
The late Senator’s wife, children and relatives were present at the session, following revocation of Senate Order 12 to allow strangers into the chamber.
Tributes in honour of the late lawmaker followed a motion by Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti), that the Senate should pay the tributes.
Mr Bamidele said that the news of Mr Ezea’s death came as a profound shock to the Senate.
According to him, Mr Ezea’s passing has left a void that will not easily be filled, describing him as a legislator of rare disposition, guided always by conscience.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on his part, asserted that the Senate was overwhelmed with grief, saying the Red Chamber had lost a brother and a friend in Ezea, describing him as one of the faithful servants of the Republic who laboured tirelessly.
The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jubrin (APC-Kano), described Mr Ezea as a good man who stood for what he believed in, saying that the Senate had lost a friend, brother and colleague.
Other Senators also took turns to pay tributes to the late Senator which lasted about three hours.
The Senate, thereafter, offered Christian and Muslim prayers for the repose of the late Senator’s soul, while also observing a minute silence in his honour.
It resolved to send a delegation to condole with his family, the Government and People of Enugu State.
The Senate also resolved to send a high powered delegation to attend the final burial of the late senator.
The Red Chamber, thereafter, embarked on a procession to inspect the remains of the late lawmaker.
The Legacy Senator, Patrick Ndubueze took his turn to pay final respect to his departed colleague with an emotional bow.
