A Senate committee session turned chaotic on Tuesday when Ebonyi North Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi and former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili engaged in a heated verbal confrontation during a hearing on ethics and public petitions.
The tension-filled exchange occurred as the committee reviewed a new petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Ezekwesili attended the hearing alongside Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Abiola Akiode, and co-petitioner Zubairu Yakubu.
Proceedings took an explosive turn when Yakubu attempted to speak while committee chairman Neda Imaseun was addressing the panel. After Yakubu was instructed to mute his microphone, Ezekwesili intervened, prompting Nwaebonyi – who was present as Akpabio’s witness – to angrily interject.
“Compose yourself and stop making noise,” Ezekwesili told the senator.
The rebuke triggered Nwaebonyi’s furious response: “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 be here.”
Ezekwesili fired back by labeling the lawmaker a “hooligan,” escalating the confrontation and temporarily halting proceedings.
Following the heated exchange, chairman Imaseun restored order before announcing that the matter had been subjudiced before a court. The committee subsequently adjourned the hearing abruptly.
The recent altercation during a Senate committee hearing stems from a series of events involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
On March 4, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted a petition accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment, abuse of office, and obstruction of legislative duties. She alleged that Akpabio made inappropriate advances during visits to his residences in December 2023 and May 2024, and that her refusal led to the removal of her motion concerning the Ajaokuta Steel Company from the Senate’s agenda.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions dismissed her petition on procedural grounds, declaring it “dead on arrival.” The committee cited that Akpoti-Uduaghan signed the petition herself rather than having it endorsed by another person, rendering it procedurally invalid. Additionally, the matters raised were already before the court, making them sub judice and beyond the Senate’s jurisdiction.
Subsequently, Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate for six months due to alleged disruptive behavior unrelated to her accusations against Akpabio. This suspension led to public outcry and protests from women’s rights groups, highlighting concerns about gender inequality in Nigerian politics.
The committee convened to address a new petition filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio. During this hearing, tensions escalated, culminating in the verbal confrontation between Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi and former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili.
