Key Points

• Oby Ezekwesili defends her clash with Senator Nwaebonyi, saying it highlighted the challenges women face in public life.

• The confrontation took place during a Senate hearing about sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Akpabio.

• Ezekwesili calls for accountability and fairness in the Senate, demanding transparency and the resignation of biased panel members.

Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, expressed satisfaction with her heated confrontation with Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi of Ebonyi North.

The clash took place during a Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions hearing, and, according to Ezekwesili, it exposed the difficulties women face in public life and underscored the challenges of demanding accountability from public leaders.

The clash during the Senate hearing

The confrontation unfolded during a hearing on a petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Ezekwesili, who attended the hearing with legal counsel Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi and chief petitioner Zubairu Yakubu, became embroiled in the dispute after the petition raised concerns about the neutrality of the committee members, alleging ties to Akpabio.

This accusation angered several lawmakers, including Senator Nwaebonyi, who found Ezekwesili’s intervention to be disruptive.

As tensions mounted, Ezekwesili insisted on being heard, even requesting to be placed under oath, stating, “I am a citizen of Nigeria.” This remark infuriated Nwaebonyi, who lashed out, calling her a “fool” and saying, “You’re an insult to womanhood.

People like you cannot be here.” In response, Ezekwesili called him a “hooligan,” further escalating the exchange. Order was eventually restored, but the confrontation drew significant attention.

Ezekwesili reacts to the clash

In an interview the following day, Nwaebonyi claimed that Ezekwesili provoked the altercation by calling him a hooligan and telling him to “shut up.”

However, Ezekwesili, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme, defended her actions.

She expressed satisfaction with the incident, stating that it brought attention to the historic challenges faced by women, especially those who persistently demand accountability from public institutions.

Ezekwesili explained, “In this society, there is a historic attitude toward voice—especially the voice of women. It’s not just about women but also those who, like me, demand public accountability. That attitude shapes how lawmakers behave.”

She continued, “I was actually very pleased with what happened because now, it is in the public domain what women endure in many instances, and the rest of society may know little about it but has not focused on it.”

The bigger picture: fighting for accountability

Beyond the personal clash, Ezekwesili used the incident to draw attention to the broader issues of public accountability and sexual harassment.

She accused Neda Imasuen, chairman of the Senate panel, of bias and called for his resignation to ensure fairness in the proceedings.

Ezekwesili stressed that the real issue—the sexual harassment allegations—was being overshadowed by political distractions.

Her response reflected her commitment to holding those in power accountable, asserting that no individual or group, regardless of their position, should silence voices demanding justice.

She highlighted the need for transparency and fairness, emphasizing that the voices of the people must be heard, especially when it comes to matters of public accountability.