Former Nigerian Minister of Education and prominent activist, Oby Ezekwesili, has strongly condemned the systemic silencing of women, following a heated verbal exchange with Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi during a Senate Ethics Committee hearing.
The altercation, which has since sparked national debate, unfolded while the committee was addressing a petition filed by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Tensions flared when Senator Nwaebonyi, representing Ebonyi North, interrupted the session to defend Akpabio. Ezekwesili, perceiving his remarks as an overreach, firmly told him to “shut up.” This triggered an aggressive response from Nwaebonyi, who retaliated by calling her a “hooligan” and “an insult to womanhood.”
In an interview with Arise TV, Ezekwesili defended her reaction, emphasizing that the committee had already declared the matter sub judice due to ongoing legal proceedings. She expressed frustration over what she perceived as a double standard, questioning why male politicians were allowed to speak freely while women were expected to remain silent. “The justification for silencing us is what women go through without cameras,” she remarked.
Senator Nwaebonyi, however, remained unapologetic. He insisted that Ezekwesili’s words were disrespectful, stating, “How can I regret the scenario? I gave it to her.”
The confrontation has since ignited widespread conversations about gender dynamics in Nigerian politics, with many arguing that Ezekwesili’s experience is reflective of the broader struggle faced by women who challenge the status quo. Critics argue that the culture of dismissing women’s voices, especially in political spaces, needs urgent redress.
As the debate rages on, this incident serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for gender equality and respect for women in leadership.
