Okechukwu Ezea (born 11 August 1963) is a Nigerian politician, lawyer, and businessman who has served as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing Enugu North Senatorial District since 2023.
Early life and education
Okechukwu Ezea was born in Enugu State, Nigeria, to Theresa (née Attamah) and James Ezea, both from Enugu State. He attended Community Primary School, Umachi in Enugu-Ezike, and Nsukka High School in Nsukka for his primary and secondary education respectively.
He proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he studied political science and graduated with a BSc in 1986. Ezea also obtained his LL.B and LL.M in law from the University of Lagos, Akoka.
Career
After completing his National Youth Service Corps in September 1987, Ezea joined the Nigerian Customs Service, where he worked as Deputy Superintendent until his retirement in 1994.
In the same year, he entered private business and founded Ideke Shipping Limited. Between 1995 and 2018, Ideke Shipping provided intermodal logistics services. Ezea later established Ideke Engineering Limited, Ideke Overseas Limited, Damik Ventures Limited, and Damik Security Limited.
Politics
Ezea became active in politics while at the University of Nigeria, where he held student leadership positions.
In 2007, he contested the Enugu State gubernatorial election as the Labour Party candidate. The election result was overturned after a court challenge and the intervention of the Enugu State Governorship Election Tribunal.
In 2013, he co-founded a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu and became the party’s gubernatorial candidate in 2015.
In 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, Taraba State—a role he held until 2022, when he resigned to rejoin the Labour Party.
On 25 February 2023, Ezea was elected as a Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District.