POLITICS
Senators Barau, Kalu, Natasha Pay Tribute as Okey Ezea Passes on
By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja
The Senate was yesterday thrown into mourning, following the passing on of Distinguished Senator Okey Ezea, who represented Enugu North Senatorial District in the 10th Senate. He passed away yesterday at about 11:07 p.m. in a private hospital in Lagos after a brief illness, according to family sources.
Until his passing, Senator Ezea served as the Vice Chairman of two key Senate Committees; the Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa and NEPAD, and the Committee on Culture and Creative Economy. He had earlier chaired the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, and later held other strategic roles, including Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development.However, in a glowing tribute, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin described the lawmaker’s death as shocking.“Senator Okey Ezea was a pan-Nigerian politician who contributed immensely to unity and national progress. He worked hard to enhance the standard of living of his people and beyond”, he said in a statement.He also prayed for God’s strength for the family and the entire Enugu North constituency.For former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu who expressed deep sorrow over Ezea’s death, pointed out that the late Ezea was “a dear friend, brother, and a man of faith, humility, and integrity”.Kalu, who currently represents Abia North noted their shared Catholic faith and the moments they spent attending Mass in the same chapel.“Our friendship extended beyond the chambers of the Senate. Senator Ezea was a man of humility, integrity, and steadfast faith. His death is a painful blow that has left me personally devastated.”He extended condolences to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Governor Peter Mbah, the people of Enugu State, and especially the Nsukka community, describing the late senator as a patriotic Nigerian whose legacy of service willIn her own words, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central said “your prayers kept me going” describing Ezea as “a good, wise, and gentle man whose prayers supported her through difficult moments.“Your prayers kept me going through my darkest moments, and I will miss you in chambers.”She extended condolences to the people of Enugu North on behalf of Kogi Central.Senator Ezea, known for a legislative record defined by purposeful and impactful contributions, he sponsored the bill to establish the Federal College of Agriculture, Adani, and championed the landmark bill seeking the creation of Adada State, a legacy he pursued with unwavering commitment.He also moved several motions, most notably the motion calling for the establishment of a military base in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State to curb persistent attacks by marauding herdsmen.Before winning the Enugu North Senate seat in 2023 on the platform of the Labour Party, Senator Ezea was a founding member of the APC and played a pivotal role in building the party’s structure in Enugu State in 2013.A three-time governorship contender, he ran under the Labour Party in 2007 and three-time governorship contender, he ran under the Labour Party in 2007 and 2011, and later under the APC in 2016. His 2023 senatorial victory, where he defeated an incumbent governor, was widely regarded as a defining milestone in his political career.Beyond elective politics, he held notable national positions, including his tenure as Chairman of the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, Taraba State.Remarkably, until his passing, he remained the only federal lawmaker from Enugu State elected on the Labour Party platform in 2023 who refused to defect, standing firmly by the party that sponsored him despite intense political pressure.Senator Okey Ezea is survived by his wife, Chioma, and four children. The family has requested prayers during this difficult time.POLITICS
2027: ADC Ready to Take over Zamfara — Official
Kabiru Garba, Zamfara Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) says the party is ready to take over Zamfara from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2027 General Elections.
Garba stated this while speaking to newsmen on Wednesday at the stakeholders’ meeting for the phase II Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise in Gusau.
Garba stated that the party was receiving new members from various political parties in the state.
“As I am speaking to you now, we are busy every day receiving high caliber political stakeholders in the state.
“People believe with the ideologies of our great party, the party is getting more popular on a daily basis.
“We are becoming stronger, the party is capable of winning all political offices in the state including the governorship position in the 2027 general elections,” the party Chairman explained.
Garba said that the ADC was the “most popular party in Zamfara” as people of the state were willing to join the party on a daily basis.
“The ADC is ready for the election, even if it’s held tomorrow.
“I believe people of the state are ever ready to vote for ADC, they are tired with the ongoing administration in the state aled by the PDP.
“The entire Nigerians are also tired with the ongoing administration of the All Progressive Congress (APC),”he added.
Garba commended the arrangements by INEC for the second phase of the CVR exercise.
He assured that the ADC would mobilise and sensitise its members in the state to participate actively in the exercise.
POLITICS
Tinubu’s Reforms Laying Foundation for National Growth – Folarin
Former Senate Leader and Oyo State Ambassador for Renewed Hope, Sen. Teslim Folarin, said President Bola Tinubu’s bold reforms will lay a strong foundation for long-term national growth.
He stated this on Monday during the ongoing 14-Federal Constituency Tour jointly organised by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in collaboration with Oyo All Progressives Congress(APC), at Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East and Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituencies.
Folarin noted that the ongoing reform agenda is necessary to stabilise the economy, stressing that effective communication of these reforms at the grassroots level would be critical to winning public understanding and sustained support.
He stated that the federal constituency tour was designed to strengthen internal cohesion, rebuild confidence within party structures, and lay a solid foundation for early and disciplined mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls.
“Ibadan is the political nerve centre of the South-West. Oyo state proved its strength in 2023 by giving the president the highest differential votes nationwide.
“In 2027, we are ready to raise the bar and deliver record votes for Mr. President.
“Leaders of the APC in Oyo state have resolved to mobilise a record number of votes for the president in the 2027 general elections, signalling an early and coordinated consolidation of party structures across the state,” Folarin said.
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, emphasised the importance of unity, early reconciliation, and disciplined mobilisation.
He noted that electoral success depends on consistent engagement at ward and polling unit levels, rather than last minute campaigns.
The Oyo State Chairman of the APC, Olayide Abas, called for intensified voter education, continuous voter registration, and coordinated mobilisation ahead of the next general elections.
Former First Lady of Oyo State, Florence Ajimobi, urged party leaders and supporters to remain united, stressing that cohesion and discipline were vital to sustaining the APC’s strength in the state.
She said the engagements provided an opportunity to reconnect with the grassroots and consolidate support for the president ahead of 2027.
A gubernatorial aspirant, Dr. Adewale Kareem, described the federal constituency tour as timely, noting that it had helped to rebuild confidence within party structures.
He called for sustained mobilisation and voter education, adding that the unity of stakeholders and early preparation would be key to securing victory for the president in the 2027 general elections.
APC chieftains at the event included Sen. Sharafadeen Alli, Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari, Sen. Yunus Akintunde, Sen. Femi Lanlehin, Sen. Ayo Adeseun, Sen. Hosea Agboola, Sen. Kola Balogun, and other key party stakeholders.
Others were Hon. Remi Oseni, Hon. Akeem Adeyemi, former Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu and Barrister Akeem Agbaje among others.
POLITICS
Protest: Okpebholo Condemns Attack on Onojie of Ekpoma’s Palace
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo has condemned the attack on the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Ehizojie Abumere II, by protesters in Ekpoma.
This was contained in a statement signed by Dr. Patrick Ebojele, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor on Monday in Benin.
The governor’s condemnation came after he visited the palace to personally assess the damage allegedly caused by the protesters.
The protesters had allegedly invaded the palace under the guise of expressing grievances over insecurity.
Okpebholo was accompanied by the Edo State Commissioner of Police, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), state chairman and other party stakeholders.
According to the statement, vehicles within the palace compound were vandalised, while canopies and chairs were broken. Cartons of Indomie noodles belonging to Onojie’s wife, who trades in the product, were also destroyed.
Doors and windows of the palace were also damaged.
Okpebholo described the invasion of the palace and the looting of property as criminal and unacceptable, stressing that protests must never be used as an excuse for lawlessness.
He disclosed that a security meeting was held earlier in the week with a strong focus on Edo Central Senatorial District, particularly the Ekpoma axis.
Okpebholo added that the government had rolled out strategic, technology-driven security operations.
The Governor warned that those who hijacked the protest to vandalise the palace and loot property would be brought to justice.
“I want to thank Your Highness for the love you have shown to me and our people over the years.
“They came under the guise of protest and sentiments, then resorted to looting and violence. This is unacceptable.
“We will go after them the same way we are going after kidnappers. Nobody should test our patience.
“I am an Esan man and I got my highest votes here in Ekpoma. I will not allow bad things to happen in this land. In the coming days, our actions will speak for themselves. Nobody involved in this criminality will be spared,” he said.
He assured the traditional ruler and the people of Ekpoma that decisive security operations were imminent.
He noted that peace, law, and order would be fully restored in the community and across Edo Central.
The Onojie Abumere II, described the incident as unfortunate, alleging that many of the protesters were under the influence of illicit drugs.
“What transpired was very sad. Many of them were under the influence of drugs. If not for God’s intervention, something worse would have happened,” he said.
He explained that he attempted to address the protesters when they first arrived but was prevented from doing so.
According to him, the protesters later returned while he was away attending a security meeting with other traditional rulers, forced their way into the palace, and unleashed violence.

