ABUJA, Nigeria — There was serious commotion for senate hearing on March 25, 2025, as Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi of Ebonyi North clash with former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili. This altercation happened during the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions hearing, concerning a fresh petition by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Ezekwesili, alongside Abiola Akiode, who is the lawyer for Akpoti-Uduaghan, and petitioner Zubairu Yakubu, were present for the session. Trouble started when Yakubu tried to speak while Committee Chairman, Neda Imaseun, was addressing the attendees.
Yakubu was asked to mute his microphone. But when Ezekwesili attempted to intervene, Senator Nwaebonyi cut her off. In response, Ezekwesili urged him to ‘compose himself and stop making noise,’ a comment that triggered an angry reaction from the senator.
Nwaebonyi retaliated, stating, ‘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.’ His aggressive response further inflamed the situation.
Ezekwesili did not hold back and called him a ‘hooligan,’ which escalated the verbal dispute even more. Their exchange caused significant disruption to the hearing before order was restored.
Following the heated argument, Chairman Imaseun announced that the matter was already under consideration in a court of law, thus abruptly ending the hearing. The commotion showcased the tension often prevalent in Nigeria’s political circles.
