Former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has stood by her confrontation with Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi of Ebonyi North Senatorial District, describing it as an important moment that shed light on the struggles women face in a male-dominated society.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, Ezekwesili expressed satisfaction with the verbal exchange, stating that it had brought long-overdue attention to the suppression of women’s voices in public discourse.
“I was very pleased with what happened yesterday because now it is in the public domain what women endure in many instances,” she said. “The rest of society may have some awareness of it, but it has not been fully confronted. Now, it is at the forefront of our public agenda that we should not allow a society that shuts down voices.”
The incident occurred during a Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions hearing on a petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Ezekwesili attended the hearing alongside Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, legal counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan, and Zubairu Yakubu, the chief petitioner from Kogi Central.
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Tensions escalated when Yakubu called for the recusal of Committee Chairman Neda Imasuen, citing concerns over the neutrality of certain committee members due to their alleged ties to Akpabio. His remarks triggered backlash from lawmakers, who accused him of attempting to discredit the committee’s integrity.
Ezekwesili also faced criticism from some senators, who perceived her as forcefully inserting herself into the proceedings. She, however, remained steadfast in her insistence on being heard.
“I asked to be put on oath as a witness. I am a citizen of Nigeria,” she asserted.
The exchange took a dramatic turn when Senator Nwaebonyi directed a verbal attack at Ezekwesili, angrily telling her, “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.”
Ezekwesili fired back, calling him a “hooligan,” further escalating the altercation. The heated exchange momentarily disrupted the hearing before order was restored.
The confrontation has since sparked widespread discussion, with many Nigerians weighing in on the implications of the incident. While some have condemned the senator’s remarks as emblematic of deep-seated misogyny in the political sphere, others have called for more decorum in legislative proceedings.