Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, on Tuesday said Nigeria would be a far better country if even a small fraction of its political leaders lived with the integrity and consistency exemplified by the late Senator Okechukwu Ezea.
Obi made the remark while speaking at the Night of Tributes held in honour of the late senator, whom he described as a rare beacon of integrity and commitment in Nigeria’s troubled political landscape.
“If even five percent of Nigerian politicians lived the way Senator Okechukwu Ezea lived, this country would be a better place,” Obi said, drawing quiet reflection from the audience. “Unfortunately, men like him are rare, and when they leave, the loss is deeply felt.”
Addressing the family of the late lawmaker, Obi said it was difficult to speak about a life defined by such moral clarity, but stressed that Ezea lived deliberately and purposefully.
“Your father lived a good life—an honest, principled, and consistent life,” he said. “In a country where politics is too often driven by ambition rather than integrity, he stood apart. He represented the very best of what leadership ought to be.”
Obi recalled his personal relationship with Ezea, describing him as a man whose word did not change with circumstance.
“Whether you spoke to Okey in the morning, afternoon, or evening, his answer would remain the same,” Obi said. “Even in the smallest matters, he was truthful and reliable. He gave counsel freely and lived with a moral consistency that is all too rare in our public life.”
According to Obi, Ezea’s commitment went beyond rhetoric, reflecting itself in everyday conduct and difficult choices.
“He was committed—not just in words, but in action. He chose the right path even when it was inconvenient, even when it ran against the tide,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor said the late senator’s life offers a powerful lesson for Nigeria’s political class, noting that public office should be seen as a responsibility rather than a reward.
“He gave Nigeria a living example that leadership is about service, not power; about responsibility, not privilege,” Obi added.
Turning again to the family, Obi said Ezea left behind more than a name or title.
“Your father gave you a legacy of integrity, service, and courage,” he said. “In a nation often weakened by self-interest, his life reminds us that true leadership is defined by character.”
Obi concluded with prayers for the family and the nation, asking God to grant the late senator eternal rest and to give his loved ones the strength to bear the loss.
“May God Almighty grant Senator Okechukwu Ezea eternal rest in His kingdom,” he said. “And may all of us honour his life not just with words, but by living with the integrity and commitment he exemplified.”