By Mercy Gadia Adi
The member representing Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency of Enugu State, Honourable Emeka Cyriacus has described the death of Senator Okechukwu Ezea as a huge loss to the Labour Party, Enugu State and Nigeria at large, saying the country lost a committed leader at a critical time.
Speaking in an interview, Cyriacus said Ezea was a man who believed strongly in a cause and gave his all in the struggle for good governance, particularly at a time when the Labour Party was considered unpopular in Enugu State.
“He believed in a cause. He gave it everything and fought to the last. Unfortunately, at a time when we needed him so much, we lost him,” Cyriacus said.
He recalled that when the Peoples Democratic Party dominated Enugu politics and the Labour Party was largely written off, Senator Ezea played a crucial leadership and mentoring role that helped the party record historic electoral successes.
“With his experience, guidance and mentorship, especially for those of us who are young, we were able to get the kind of results we recorded in the last election,” he said.
Cyriacus noted that the Labour Party clinched seven out of eight House of Representatives seats, two out of three senatorial seats and 14 out of 24 seats in the Enugu State House of Assembly, attributing the feat largely to Ezea’s political contributions.
Beyond politics, he described the late senator as a fearless advocate for his people on the floor of the Senate, saying Ezea was always passionate about issues affecting his constituents and ensured they were pursued to logical conclusions.
“He was someone who, when it came to issues affecting his people, propagated them, advocated for them and went all out to ensure they were actualised,” he said.
Cyriacus stressed that Ezea’s death was not only a personal loss but a national one, adding that Nigeria had lost a leader badly needed at a time of pressing leadership challenges.
Reacting to concerns raised on the Senate floor about the welfare of the late senator’s children, some of whom are graduates yet to be employed, Cyriacus called on the Senate and political associates to rally round the family.
“This is the time to be our brother’s keeper,” he said. “One of the legacies he left behind is his children. The fact that he is no more does not mean we should abandon his family.”
He urged Ezea’s colleagues in the Senate and those who worked closely with him to provide tangible support, including employment opportunities for his employable children.
“We should make genuine contributions and ensure the family feels that although their father is gone, he left behind good friends,” Cyriacus added.
On the popular saying that “the best tree in the forest does not last,” which was referenced by a senator during tributes, Cyriacus said life does not always follow a fixed pattern.
“In some cases, good trees are cut early; in other cases, some last very long. So I won’t completely agree,” he said.