Ezekwesili: My clash with Nwaebonyi shows how society treats women who speak up

Oby Ezekwesili, former minister of education, says her dispute with Onyekachi Nwaebonyi has brought to light the challenges women face in society, particularly in spaces of power and accountability.

BACKGROUND

Nwaebonyi, lawmaker representing Ebonyi north and Ezekwesili traded words during the senate panel hearing on a fresh petition submitted by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended senator representing Kogi central.

The atmosphere grew tense when the former minister asked Nwaebonyi to “shut up” during the panel hearing.

The shouting match degenerated into vulgar name-calling and gender-based humiliation.

In a separate interview on Tuesday, Ezekwesili admitted telling the lawmaker to shut up after the panel prevented him from speaking.

She added that Nwaebonyi’s reaction reflected the “indecorous behaviour” common among some public officials in the country.

The Ebonyi lawmaker first criticised the former minister for calling him a “hooligan” and ordering a serving senator to “shut up”.

He also expressed regret over his choice of words towards the former minister of education during the senate ethics committee hearing.

EZEKWESILI: I’M HAPPY MY SHOUTING MATCHES WITH NWEBONYI

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Wednesday, Ezekwesili said she was pleased with her exchange with the Nwaebonyi, the deputy chief whip of the senate.

“In this society, there is a historic attitude to voice; not just the voice of women but those who say that they do not agree with a situation or who, like me, are persistent in demanding public accountability from those that lead an institution that belongs to the society,” she said.

“It is a historic more or less function. And so, that attitude pervades the way our lawmakers are behaving.

“I was actually very pleased with what happened yesterday because now it is in the public domain what women endure in many instances, and the rest of society may know little about it, but has not focused on it.”

Ezekwesili accused Neda Imasuen, chairman of the senate panel, of bias and demanded that he step down, adding that his withdrawal was necessary for justice and fairness.

She further demanded public accountability at the historic event and insisted that no group or individuals, regardless of power, should silence voices of accountability.

Ezekwesili said the main issue at hand of sexual harassment allegations was being sidelined by political distractions.

She insisted that Akpoti-Uduaghan deserved justice and vowed to continue demanding accountability.