Senator Onyeka Nwaebonyi Shares His Account of Exchange with Oby Ezekwesili During Public Hearing
In a dramatic turn of events, Senator Onyeka Nwaebonyi of Ebonyi State has spoken out about his exchange of words with former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili during the public hearing on March 25, 2025, at the Nigerian Senate. The hearing, which was convened to discuss the serious allegations of sexual harassment made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, became the backdrop for a heated confrontation between the sitting senator and the former minister. Nwaebonyi’s remarks shed light on the details of the exchange that has since garnered widespread attention and stirred debate about professionalism and respect within the Senate.
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Oby Ezekwesili Shares Her Account of Altercation with Senator Nwaebonyi
The hearing on the alleged sexual harassment case involving Senate President Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was a crucial moment in Nigerian politics. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations had already stirred controversy, and the public hearing was expected to bring attention to the issue of sexual harassment and misconduct within Nigeria’s political sphere.
Ezekwesili, a vocal advocate for human rights and accountability, was present at the hearing as part of a larger group supporting Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. She is known for her commitment to transparency and justice, and her presence at the hearing was in line with her longstanding efforts to hold public officials accountable for their actions. However, as the proceedings unfolded, tensions ran high, and an altercation ensued that would further overshadow the seriousness of the hearing.
In an interview following the altercation, Senator Onyeka Nwaebonyi shared his version of the exchange with Ezekwesili. According to Nwaebonyi, the confrontation began when he was speaking during the hearing. He said that he was addressing the presiding officer, who was overseeing the proceedings, when Ezekwesili, apparently frustrated with his remarks, turned to him and told him to “shut [his] mouth.”
Nwaebonyi, taken aback by the sharpness of Ezekwesili’s response, was not prepared to let the insult pass without challenge. “A sitting senator in the Senate, that I should shut up my mouth?” he recalled, adding, “I said, ‘No Ma, withdraw that statement.'” Nwaebonyi’s firm response was a direct challenge to the disrespect he felt was being shown to him by the former minister.
However, according to Nwaebonyi, Ezekwesili’s reply was even more caustic. “She said, ‘Will you shut your mouth? You are a hooligan.’” The senator was visibly stunned by the sharpness of her words. As the confrontation escalated, Nwaebonyi shot back with his own retort, responding, “You are the hooligan.”
For Nwaebonyi, this was not just a personal insult, but an affront to the office he held and to the decorum he believed should govern such public proceedings. “For a mother like you, a former minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to tell a senator to shut up his mouth and even call him a hooligan?” Nwaebonyi reflected in his interview. “Then you are the hooligan.”
The context of the exchange was significant. The hearing, which was meant to address a serious issue of sexual harassment, was becoming increasingly contentious, with both political and public figures weighing in on the matter. It was a delicate situation that required patience, understanding, and professionalism from all those involved.
Ezekwesili, in her role as an advocate for justice and accountability, may have been frustrated by what she perceived as a dismissive attitude towards the gravity of the allegations. However, her outburst in the form of telling a sitting senator to “shut up” was seen as a breach of decorum by many, including Nwaebonyi.
For the senator, the incident was not just about the specific issue at hand, but about the larger implications of respecting the institutions of government and maintaining a level of professionalism in discourse. Nwaebonyi’s response was framed by his belief in the importance of decorum and mutual respect among public officials, particularly in a setting as formal as the Senate.
Nwaebonyi, who serves as the deputy spokesperson of the Senate, emphasized that while there are often disagreements in political debates, such exchanges should always be grounded in respect. The back-and-forth with Ezekwesili, he noted, was a violation of the norms that should govern interactions within such institutions.
Oby Ezekwesili’s presence at the public hearing was significant for several reasons. As a former minister and a prominent advocate for transparency and good governance, Ezekwesili is highly regarded for her outspoken stance on issues related to corruption, justice, and the rights of women and marginalized groups. Her participation in the hearing was a clear demonstration of her commitment to holding public officials accountable, regardless of their political affiliations.
Ezekwesili, who has long been a vocal critic of corruption and abuse of power in Nigeria, was at the hearing to support Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who had publicly accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment. The sexual harassment allegations made by Akpoti-Uduaghan were serious, and many Nigerians viewed the hearing as an opportunity to ensure that the issue was addressed fairly and transparently.
However, Ezekwesili’s blunt remarks and the resulting confrontation with Senator Nwaebonyi complicated the already tense atmosphere of the hearing. Some observers felt that the exchange detracted from the seriousness of the matter at hand, while others supported Ezekwesili’s stance, believing that she was merely standing up for the integrity of the hearing and the gravity of the sexual harassment allegations.
The incident quickly gained traction on social media, where users expressed a wide range of opinions about the confrontation. Some Nigerians expressed support for Ezekwesili, viewing her as a courageous figure who was not afraid to speak her mind and stand up for what she believed in. Others, however, criticized her for resorting to such harsh language in a formal setting, arguing that it undermined the legitimacy of her position.
On the other hand, many users rallied behind Senator Nwaebonyi, asserting that Ezekwesili’s disrespectful language was out of line, particularly given the professional nature of the Senate. Critics argued that while it was important to address serious issues such as sexual harassment, it was equally important to maintain civility in such discussions.
The exchange between Ezekwesili and Nwaebonyi became a symbol of the broader tensions in Nigerian politics, where debates over issues such as corruption, accountability, and the rights of women often spill over into personal attacks and inflammatory rhetoric. For many Nigerians, the incident served as a reminder of the challenges facing the country’s political system, where the pursuit of justice and transparency is often clouded by personal egos and political infighting.
The public hearing on the sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Akpabio had been intended to bring attention to the serious issue of abuse of power and to promote a culture of accountability within Nigeria’s political institutions. However, the altercation between Ezekwesili and Nwaebonyi shifted the focus away from the substance of the hearing to the personalities involved.
While the exchange between Ezekwesili and Nwaebonyi may have been a brief and isolated incident, it underscored the larger challenges facing Nigeria’s political system. The use of inflammatory language and personal insults in a formal setting like the Senate calls into question the ability of Nigeria’s political class to engage in meaningful discourse and tackle pressing national issues in a constructive manner.
The incident also highlighted the difficulty of balancing advocacy with professionalism. Ezekwesili, as an advocate for justice, clearly felt that the sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Akpabio needed to be treated with the utmost seriousness. However, her frustration with the proceedings and the dismissive behavior she perceived from certain senators led to the breakdown in communication with Senator Nwaebonyi.
For Nwaebonyi, the incident was a reminder of the importance of maintaining decorum, even in the midst of heated debates. As a sitting senator, he emphasized the need to uphold the dignity of the Senate and the integrity of the legislative process, even in the face of personal attacks.
The altercation between Oby Ezekwesili and Senator Nwaebonyi is part of a larger pattern of tensions within Nigerian politics. The use of harsh rhetoric, personal attacks, and a lack of civility in political debates has often undermined the country’s efforts to address serious issues. As the hearing continues, it remains to be seen whether the focus will return to the substance of the sexual harassment allegations or whether the broader political drama will continue to dominate the conversation.
For many Nigerians, the altercation between Ezekwesili and Nwaebonyi is a sign of the deeper dysfunctions within the political system. While the hearing on sexual harassment was an opportunity to address an important issue, it was marred by personal confrontations and a lack of respect for the seriousness of the matter. If Nigeria’s political institutions are to regain the public’s trust and address the pressing issues facing the country, there needs to be a renewed commitment to professionalism, transparency, and accountability.
Ultimately, the exchange between Ezekwesili and Nwaebonyi serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by those who seek to make a difference in Nigeria’s political landscape. While the clash between the two figures may have been brief, it underscores the difficulties of navigating a political environment that is often characterized by personal animosities, egos, and a lack of mutual respect. Whether or not this incident will lead to a broader shift in Nigeria’s political culture remains to be seen, but it is clear that the country’s political discourse must evolve if it is to effectively address the pressing issues facing its people.
