Tensions Escalate as Senator Nwaebonyi, Oby Ezekwesili Clash During Senate Hearing on Petition

A tense exchange unfolded during a Senate hearing on Tuesday, where Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, Senator representing Ebonyi North, clashed with former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili.

The confrontation took place at the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, where a fresh petition from Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was under consideration.

Ezekwesili was present at the hearing alongside Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan, and the chief petitioner from Kogi Central, Zubairu Yakubu.

Trouble started when Yakubu requested the committee chairman, Neda Imasuen, step down from the case, accusing him of bias in handling a sexual harassment allegation against Akpabio. Yakubu argued that the chairman had publicly taken a position on the matter and questioned why they were presenting their case when a verdict had already been issued. He also claimed that some committee members had prior connections to Akpabio, which compromised their ability to be impartial.

The remarks sparked anger from lawmakers, who accused Yakubu of attempting to undermine the committee’s credibility. Ezekwesili, who was not part of the committee but insisted on participating, became embroiled in a verbal altercation with Nwaebonyi when she requested to be sworn in as a witness. She argued her right as a Nigerian citizen to be heard.

In response, Nwaebonyi lashed out, calling her a “fool” and an “insult to womanhood.” Ezekwesili, not backing down, called him a “hooligan,” further escalating the exchange.

The confrontation temporarily disrupted the proceedings, prompting an intervention from Senator Patrick Ndubueze, who appealed for calm and reminded those present that the Senate was a serious institution. He urged that they stop behaving like they were in a marketplace and emphasised that only recognised speakers should address the committee.

After the heated exchange, the hearing was adjourned indefinitely. Imasuen noted that both Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio’s wife had ongoing court cases, and the absence of the Kogi lawmaker prevented them from defending their allegations.

Following the adjournment, Ezekwesili criticised the Senate’s handling of the proceedings, accusing the committee of violating constitutional provisions. She expressed concern that the Senate’s rules were being placed above the Nigerian Constitution, particularly in matters involving disciplinary actions. “The Nigerian Senate keeps telling citizens they are subject to Senate rules, even when those rules violate the Constitution. This is unacceptable in a democracy,” Ezekwesili said.

Ezekwesili also referenced the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, which she claimed was carried out without regard for due process. She warned that the Senate’s actions were setting a dangerous precedent, where internal rules could override constitutional rights. “The Senate must respect the Constitution, or we risk turning our democracy into a system where powerful individuals manipulate processes to silence opposition and suppress justice,” she concluded.