The Senate on Tuesday suspended plenary to honour the late Senator Okechukwu Ezea of the Labour Party (LP), representing Enugu North Senatorial District, who passed away on Tuesday, November 18.
Following prayers, approval of votes and proceedings, announcements, and petitions in the order paper, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), moved a motion to suspend the day’s legislative activities in line with Senate tradition. The motion was seconded by Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Olalere Oyewumi (PDP, Osun West).
Bamidele said, “Inconsistent with our tradition as well as our parliamentary customs, I move that we suspend all other legislative activities for the day. I also move that, upon adjourning this proceeding, we proceed to pay a condolence visit to the family of the late Okechukwu Ezea. It is unfortunate this death occurred.”
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The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, thereafter called for a minute’s silence in honour of the deceased and announced that buses had been arranged to convey Senators to the late lawmaker’s family for condolences.
Until his death, Ezea served as Vice Chairman of both the Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa and NEPAD, and the Senate Committee on Culture and Creative Economy.
In a related announcement, Senator Akpabio appointed Senator Austin Akobundu (PDP, Abia Central) as Vice Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senate Committee and Senator Osita Ngwu (PDP, Enugu West) as Vice Chairman of the Air Force Committee.
The suspension and subsequent condolence visit followed established Senate customs for honouring deceased members.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
