Former Governor of Anambra State and former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige, has described the death of the two-time gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and serving Senator representing Enugu North, Senator Okey Ezea, as a profound loss not only to the South East but to Nigeria at large.
Ngige in a statement on Thursday in Awka,said the late senator was “a true compatriot and a Progressive of inestimable value whose visionary political mind helped shape contemporary Nigerian politics.”
According to him:“We were together as foundation members of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). He contested for the governorship of Enugu State twice on our platform and remained steadfast in his progressive convictions.”
Ngige described Ezea fondly called Ideke as a politician whose passing has created a vacuum in national representation:
“His loss will significantly affect the voice of the South East in the National Assembly. Even after moving to the Labour Party, he remained in close consultation with me on legislative and national political matters.”he stated.
He further revealed their continued relationship:“When I told him early last year that I was taking a sabbatical from active politics until 2026, he protested strongly. Only a few months ago, he reminded me that 2026 was already around the corner.”
Ngige emphasized Ezea’s deep roots in progressive politics:“He played crucial roles in the formative stages of both the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and later the All Progressives Congress (APC). In all of this, he exemplified the resilience, courage, and political clarity for which the Igbo are known.”
“The South East—and indeed Nigeria—will forever remember his immense contributions to our geopolitical zone and to the advancement of progressive politics in our nation.”
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