Former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili has spoken out in defense of her heated exchange with Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi during a Senate Committee hearing on Tuesday. Appearing on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Ezekwesili expressed satisfaction with the confrontation, stating that it brought to light the challenges women face in a patriarchal society.
Ezekwesili noted, “I was very pleased with what happened yesterday because now it is in the public domain what women endure in many instances. It has come to the top of our public agenda that we should not allow for a society that shuts down voices.”
The clash arose during a Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions hearing concerning a petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Tensions escalated when the petitioner accused the committee chairman of bias due to his handling of allegations against Akpabio.
Ezekwesili, along with other advocates, sought to ensure that their voices were heard, leading to a confrontation with Nwaebonyi. During the exchange, the senator insulted Ezekwesili, calling her a “fool” and an “insult to womanhood.” In response, she labeled him a “hooligan,” which further intensified the argument.
The confrontation momentarily disrupted the proceedings, illustrating the ongoing struggles for women to assert themselves in male-dominated spaces. Ezekwesili emphasized her right to speak, stating, “I asked to be put on oath as a witness. I am a citizen of Nigeria.”
This incident has sparked discussions on gender dynamics in Nigerian politics, highlighting the need for greater respect and acknowledgment of women’s voices in public discourse.
