A heated exchange occurred between Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, representing Ebonyi North, and former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, on Tuesday, during a Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions hearing.
The session was convened to address a petition from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan concerning sexual harrasment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The altercation began when Zubairu Yakubu, the petitioner, attempted to speak while Committee Chairman Neda Imaseun was addressing the panel.
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Yakubu was instructed to mute his microphone according to Parliament rule, prompting Ezekwesili to intervene.
Senator Nwaebonyi then interjected, leading Ezekwesili to advise him to “compose himself and stop making noise.”
This remark elicited a strong reaction from Nwaebonyi, who retorted, “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
Ezekwesili responded by calling Nwaebonyi a “hooligan,” further escalating the confrontation.
The dispute disrupted the hearing until order was restored. Subsequently, Chairman Imaseun announced that the matter was sub judice, leading to an adjournment of the hearing.
