Behind the State Takes a Dive into the Senate Face-Off Between Senator Nwaebonyi and Oby Ezekwesili
What Happened?
A heated exchange between Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi of Ebonyi North and former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, disrupted a Senate Committee hearing on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. The confrontation, which included verbal insults, has since sparked widespread reactions and discussions about decorum in public office and the challenges women face in political spaces.
Where and When Did It Happen?
The incident took place during a session of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions in Abuja. The committee was deliberating on a petition by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan concerning allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Who Was Involved?
The key figures in the altercation were Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, a representative from Ebonyi North, and Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education and vocal advocate for governance reforms. Also present were members of the Senate Committee, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, and the petitioner, Zubairu Yakubu.
Why Did It Happen?
Tensions escalated when Zubairu Yakubu attempted to speak while the committee chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, was addressing the panel. As Yakubu was asked to mute his microphone, Dr. Ezekwesili intervened, prompting an interruption from Senator Nwaebonyi. The exchange quickly turned personal when Ezekwesili advised the senator to “compose yourself and stop making noise,” leading Nwaebonyi to hurl insults at her, calling her “a fool” and “an insult to womanhood.” In response, Ezekwesili called him a “hooligan.” The hearing was briefly disrupted before order was restored.
How Did They React?
Following the incident, Senator Nwaebonyi defended his comments, claiming that Ezekwesili provoked him first. “She is supposed to respect me,” he stated in an interview. On the other hand, Ezekwesili addressed the incident on Arise TV, saying, “This is what women go through largely when the camera is not on in some of our public spaces.” She framed the encounter as part of a broader pattern of silencing women in governance and professional settings.
What’s the Public Saying?
The incident has drawn mixed reactions. Many have condemned Nwaebonyi’s remarks, calling them disrespectful and reflective of a wider issue of gender bias in politics. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly apologized to Ezekwesili, acknowledging the verbal attack as unjust. Others, however, have defended Nwaebonyi, arguing that both parties should have exercised more restraint.
What Happens Next?
With the hearing adjourned due to the matter now being in court, the focus shifts to the broader conversation the incident has sparked—on respect, gender dynamics, and professionalism in public institutions. As discussions continue, one question remains: will this be a turning point for addressing the treatment of women in Nigeria’s political and professional spaces?
Stay tuned as Behind the State continues to follow this developing story.
