Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has defended her clash with Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi of Ebonyi North during a Senate Committee hearing on Tuesday.
Appearing on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, Ezekwesili expressed satisfaction with the exchange, saying it highlighted the challenges women face in a patriarchal society.
“I was pleased with what happened yesterday because it exposed the struggles women endure, which have often been ignored or minimized in public discourse,” she said. “This has now brought to the forefront the need for a society that does not silence women’s voices.”
The altercation occurred during a Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions hearing regarding a petition from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Ezekwesili was present along with Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, counsel for Akpoti-Uduaghan, and petitioner Zubairu Yakubu from Kogi Central.
The tension began when Yakubu called for Committee Chairman Neda Imasuen to step down, citing his controversial handling of Akpabio’s alleged sexual harassment case. He also raised concerns about committee members’ ties to Akpabio, suggesting they could not be impartial.
The remarks angered some lawmakers, who accused Yakubu of trying to undermine the committee’s credibility. Ezekwesili, too, faced criticism for her insistence on being heard. However, she remained firm, requesting to be sworn in as a witness.
The situation escalated when Nwaebonyi insulted her, calling her a “fool” and an “insult to womanhood.” Ezekwesili responded by calling him a “hooligan,” intensifying the verbal confrontation. The exchange briefly disrupted the hearing before order was restored.
