A verbal altercation broke out between Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, senator representing Ebonyi North, and Oby Ezekwesili, former minister of education, during a senate committee hearing on ethics, privileges, and public petitions on Tuesday.
The confrontation occurred during the committee’s review of a fresh petition submitted by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Ezekwesili attended the hearing alongside Abiola Akiode, counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan, and Zubairu Yakubu, the petitioner.
During the proceedings, Yakubu attempted to speak while Neda Imaseun, the committee chairman, was addressing the room, but he was asked to turn off his microphone. When Ezekwesili intervened, Nwaebonyi—who was appearing as a witness for Senate President Godswill Akpabio—interrupted her. In response, Ezekwesili told him to “compose himself and stop making noise,” which triggered an outburst from the senator.
“You’re a fool. What do you mean? Why are you talking to me like that? I will not take it. You’re an insult to womanhood. People like you cannot be here,” Nwaebonyi retorted.
Ezekwesili fired back, calling him a “hooligan,” which further enraged the senator.
Meanwhile, Senator Monday Ubani, who was a witness at the hearing, claimed that the confrontation was provoked by Ezekwesili’s reaction to Nwaebonyi disagreeing with a statement made by the committee chairman.
According to the Ubani, Ezekwesili told Nwaebonyi to “shut up,” which triggered his response.
“People react to issues differently. Maybe I would have handled it another way, but the senator felt he shouldn’t be spoken to in that manner,” Ubani stated.
He also noted that the senator’s reaction had been widely criticised, with many accusing him of bullying Ezekwesili.
The hearing was convened to deliberate on a petition filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Akpabio, alleging sexual harassment, abuse of office, and obstruction of legislative duties. Despite the heated argument, order was eventually restored, and the proceedings continued.
