‘I gave it back to her, Sen Nwebonyi defends clash with Ezekwesili

The Senate Ethics Committee hearing in Abuja took an unexpected turn on Tuesday as Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, representing Ebonyi North, engaged in a heated exchange with former Education Minister, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili.

The session, meant to investigate sexual harassment allegations involving suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, quickly spiraled into a verbal clash.

Tensions peaked when Nwebonyi, visibly agitated, referred to Ezekwesili as an “insult to womanhood” and a “hooligan.” His remarks came after an earlier exchange in which he claimed the former minister had first insulted him.

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Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television program, Nwebonyi defended his outburst, insisting he had merely responded in kind.

“It started when she was asked to take an oath as a witness. She refused. I stated my willingness to be sworn in and provide evidence. While I was addressing the presiding officer, she turned to me and said, ‘Will you shut up your mouth? You are a hooligan,’” he recounted.

The senator maintained that his reaction was justified. “For a grandmother, a former minister of the Federal Republic, to tell a sitting senator to shut up and call him a hooligan—how is that fair?” he questioned.

Despite the controversy, Nwebonyi expressed no regrets. “I respect her as a woman, but I gave it back to her,” he said firmly. “How can I regret the scenario? Ask her first if her conduct was fair.”

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