Tensions ran high at the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions hearing on Tuesday, when Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi of Ebonyi North clashed with former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili.
Nwaebonyi later defended his reaction, stating that Ezekwesili provoked him by calling him a hooligan and instructing him to “shut up.”
The heated exchange occurred during a session investigating a petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. During the hearing, chief petitioner Zubairu Yakubu raised concerns over the committee’s impartiality, alleging that some members were loyal to Akpabio.
This statement angered several lawmakers, who saw it as an attempt to discredit the committee’s work.
Ezekwesili, attending with her legal counsel Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, insisted on speaking as a concerned citizen. Her comments led to a verbal confrontation with Nwaebonyi, during which both exchanged harsh words before order was restored. Following the incident, Ezekwesili criticized Nwaebonyi’s conduct, describing it as an example of the lack of decorum among public officials.
The controversy is part of a larger dispute between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan, which began after she accused him of making inappropriate remarks toward her during a visit to his residence in Akwa Ibom. Tensions escalated when Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno reported that Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to move to a newly assigned seat following the defection of two senators to the All Progressives Congress.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has since filed a defamation lawsuit against Akpabio, seeking N1.3 billion in damages. In a separate development, Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court recused himself from presiding over the case, citing bias allegations made by Akpabio.
Denying the accusations against him, Akpabio stated, “At no time did I ever harass any woman. I was raised by my late single mother and have always upheld respect for women. I was even awarded the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria.” His defense prompted the Senate to pass a vote of confidence in his leadership.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension has drawn mixed reactions, with some groups calling for a reversal while others seek a peaceful resolution. As the dispute unfolds, attention remains on how the Senate will navigate the ongoing controversy.
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