Natasha’s suspension: Sen. Nwaebonyi, Ezekwesili Engage in Heated Exchange at Senate Committee Hearing

…you are a hooligan – Ezekwesili

A Senate hearing on a fresh petition submitted by Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Senate President Godswill Akpabio ended abruptly on Tuesday when a heated exchange erupted between Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, senator representing Ebonyi North, and former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili.

The tense confrontation unfolded as Ezekwesili defended Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was recently suspended for six months on the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions.

Ezekwesili, alongside Mr. Abiola Akiode, counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan, and Zubairu Yakubu, the petitioner, were in attendance during the hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.

Persecondnews reports that trouble started when Yakubu tried to speak while Senate Committee Chairman Neda Imaseun was already speaking.

Yakubu was instructed to mute his microphone, but the situation escalated when Ezekwesili attempted to intervene, only to be cut off by Sen. Nwaebonyi.

Ezekwesili shot back at the senator, telling him to “compose himself and stop making noise,” which ignited a fiery outburst.

Nwaebonyi launched a scathing retort at Ezekwesili, saying, “You’re a fool. What do you mean? Why are you talking to me like that? I will not take it. You are an insult to womanhood. People like you cannot be here.”

Ezekwesili fired back, labeling Nwaebonyi a “hooligan,” which further intensified the heated exchange between them.

The intense verbal exchange briefly derailed the hearing, but order was eventually restored.

Shortly after, Sen. Imaseun intervened, announcing that the matter was already under judicial review, which promptly brought the session to a close.

Persecondnews recalls that the suspended Senator resubmitted a sexual harassment petition against the Senate President on March 6, after her initial petition on March 5 was dismissed by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions.

In her petition, she accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.

She also claimed that after rejecting his advances, she has faced victimization within the Senate.

Akpabio has denied the allegations, and his wife, Ekaette Akpabio, has publicly defended him, describing him as a “man of integrity and discipline.”