The Nigerian political landscape is mourning the loss of six federal legislators who have passed away within an 18-month period, creating significant vacancies in the National Assembly and affecting political representation across multiple states.
Senator Okey Ezea's Untimely Demise
The most recent loss occurred on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, when Senator Okey Ezea, representing Enugu North Senatorial Zone, died after a brief illness at a private hospital in Lagos. The Labour Party lawmaker's passing was officially confirmed by his family on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
Senator Ezea held the distinction of being the only remaining Labour Party member from Enugu state in the National Assembly. His first son, Jideofor Ezea, described his father as an active and influential voice in the 10th Senate until his final moments.
Other National Assembly Losses
The period between May 2024 and November 2025 witnessed several other significant losses among federal legislators:
Isa Dogonyaro, a 46-year-old member of the House of Representatives representing Babura/Garki federal constituency in Jigawa state, died in May 2024. The All Progressives Congress lawmaker passed away in Abuja after a brief illness.
Olaide Adewale Akinremi, aged 51, died on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. He represented Ibadan North federal constituency under the APC platform.
Ekene Abubakar Adams, a 39-year-old Labour Party member representing Chikun/Kajuru federal constituency of Kaduna, died on Tuesday morning, July 16, 2024—less than a week after Akinremi's passing.
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah died of cardiac arrest in London on July 26, 2024, at age 52. The prominent Anambra politician had traveled to the United Kingdom just two days earlier, on July 25.
Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, the Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, passed away on January 15, 2025. The lawmaker representing Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North federal constituency of Ogun state was known for championing women empowerment policies and social welfare advancement.
Political Impact and Legacy
The consecutive deaths have triggered by-elections in affected constituencies and senatorial districts, creating political uncertainty in several regions. The losses span multiple political parties, including the Labour Party and All Progressives Congress, demonstrating that mortality transcends political affiliations.
President Bola Tinubu and other prominent Nigerian figures have paid tributes to the deceased lawmakers, acknowledging their contributions to national development and legislative processes.
The National Assembly now faces the challenge of filling these vacancies while maintaining legislative continuity. The deaths have particularly impacted states like Enugu, which lost its sole Labour Party representative in the federal legislature.
These events serve as a sobering reminder of the human aspect of political leadership and the importance of succession planning in Nigeria's democratic processes.
