The House of Representatives on Tuesday resumed its weekly plenary sittings for the 2026 legislative year on a solemn and reflective note, as lawmakers paid tribute to departed members of the National Assembly whose contributions left lasting marks on Nigeria’s legislative history.
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The plenary was presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR, who welcomed Honourable Members to the new legislative year and called for renewed unity, discipline, and commitment to legislative excellence in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.
Following initial announcements, the House devoted the sitting largely to moments of condolence in honour of late lawmakers of the 10th National Assembly. Members observed a minute of silence and took turns paying heartfelt tributes, while extending condolences to the families, constituents, and colleagues of the deceased.
The lawmakers honoured during the session were Senator Godiya Akwashiki (Nasarawa North Senatorial District, SDP), Senator Okechukwu “Okey” Ezea (Enugu North Senatorial District, LP), and Senator John Kojo Brambaifa (Bayelsa West Senatorial District, 5th National Assembly).
Born on August 3, 1973, the late Senator Godiya Akwashiki was widely regarded as a seasoned legislator and grassroots political leader. He served two terms in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly between 2011 and 2019, during which he rose to the positions of Majority Leader and later Deputy Speaker.
Elected to the Senate in 2019 and re-elected in 2023, he became the only senator from Nasarawa North Senatorial District to secure two consecutive terms. Until November 2025, he served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Air Force. He passed away on December 31, 2025, at the age of 52.
The House also paid glowing tribute to the late Senator Okechukwu “Okey” Ezea, born on August 11, 1963. A lawyer and accomplished entrepreneur, Senator Ezea was elected to the Senate in 2023 following a successful private-sector career in logistics and security.
He was celebrated for his intellectual depth and strong advocacy for institutional development. Until his passing on November 18, 2025, at the age of 62, he served as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committees on Cooperation and Integration in Africa and NEPAD, as well as Culture and Creative Economy.
In addition, lawmakers honoured the memory of Senator John Kojo Brambaifa, who was born on December 14, 1944, and passed away on January 3, 2026. Popularly known as JKB, he was an elder statesman and a key figure in the political evolution of the former Rivers State and present-day Bayelsa State. He served as Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District in the 5th National Assembly from 2003 to 2007.
In keeping with parliamentary tradition and as a mark of respect for the departed legislators, the House adjourned plenary until Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
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