A recent Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions hearing in Nigeria became contentious when Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi and former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili engaged in a heated exchange. The altercation occurred during discussions on a petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alleging sexual harassment.
The incident began when Zubairu Yakubu, the chief petitioner, attempted to speak while Committee Chairman Neda Imaseun was addressing the session. When instructed to mute his microphone, Ezekwesili intervened, leading to interruptions from Senator Nwaebonyi. This prompted Ezekwesili to retort, urging him to “compose himself and stop making noise.” Senator Nwaebonyi responded with derogatory remarks, referring to Ezekwesili as a “fool” and an “insult to womanhood.”
Ezekwesili later defended her reaction, stating that the exchange highlighted the challenges women face in a patriarchal society and that such incidents should be brought to public attention.
Following the incident, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan apologized to Ezekwesili for the insults exchanged during the clash.
