There was a heated exchange between Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi (Ebonyi North) and former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili during a Senate hearing yesterday.
The incident occurred at the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which was reviewing a fresh petition from Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan. The petition, presented by Zubairu Yakubu, alleged bias in the committee’s handling of a sexual harassment case involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Yakubu questioned the committee chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, accusing him of already taking sides in the case. He also alleged that some committee members had close ties to Akpabio, making them unfit to handle the matter. His remarks angered some lawmakers, who saw them as an attack on the committee’s credibility.
Tensions escalated when Ezekwesili insisted on being heard as a witness. She demanded to be put under oath, arguing that she had a right to speak as a Nigerian citizen. This led to a heated argument with Senator Nwaebonyi, who lashed out at her, saying, “You are a fool, You are an insult to womanhood.” Ezekwesili fired back, calling him a “hooligan”, further escalating the confrontation.
The verbal clash briefly disrupted the hearing before order was restored. Senator Patrick Ndubueze (Imo West) intervened, urging decorum and reminding attendees that the Senate must not be reduced to a marketplace.
Following further deliberations, Chairman Imasuen adjourned the hearing indefinitely, citing ongoing court cases involving Akpoti Uduaghan and Akpabio’s wife.
Speaking to journalists afterward, Ezekwesili criticized the Senate’s approach, accusing the committee of violating the Nigerian Constitution by prioritizing Senate rules over legal principles. She also condemned the suspension of Akpoti Uduaghan, arguing that it lacked constitutional backing.