FixPolitics asks senate to sanction Nwaebonyi over altercation with Ezekwesili

FixPolitics, a civil society organisation (CSO), has asked the senate to place sanctions on Onyekachi Nwaebonyi over his altercation with Oby Ezekwesili, a former minister of education.

On Tuesday, Nwaebonyi, a 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.

Anthony Ubani, executive director of FixPolitics, filed a complaint describing Nwaebonyi’s conduct during the senate hearing as “unruly, disruptive, and disrespectful.”

The complaint was addressed to Neda Imasuen, chairman of the senate committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions.

“Having obtained and reviewed the video of the proceedings, we take the view that Senator Nwaebonyi’s behaviour was most unbecoming of a legislator,” Ubani said.

“His persistent lack of restraint and disregard for both his presiding colleagues and other participants gravely compromised the atmosphere of decorum, which should have prevailed during the session.

“It also undermined the ethical standards that ought to underpin the conduct of business in Nigeria’s Senate.

“While we acknowledge that witnesses appearing before the committee should allow presiding officers to manage the proceedings, it became evident that Ezekwesili and her colleagues were compelled to assert their right to speak.

“This was due to the difficulty the presiding officers appeared to have had to adequately protect them from verbal hostility.”

While recognising that Nwaebonyi may have found being told to “shut up” offensive, FixPolitics insists it did not warrant his harsh and personal attacks on Ezekwesili.

“His words were not merely inappropriate but were a blatant and most distasteful affront to the principles of civil discourse and respect that should govern parliamentary engagements,” the group said.

“It is imperative that legislators and public officials remain mindful that they are public servants.

“They are neither superior to the citizens they serve nor are they exempt from the common principles of accountability and respect.

“The troubling pattern of conduct displayed in recent weeks by some members of the legislature calls into question their understanding of the fundamental relationship between elected representatives and the public.”

The CSO emphasised that all citizens must consistently use respectful language, particularly during public discourse, as maintaining decorum is essential in all interactions.

“However, we equally maintain and affirm that no citizen, man or woman, young or old, rich or poor, should be subjected to the kind of assault Nwaebonyi directed at Ezekwesili,” the group said.

“Consequently, it demanded public apology from Nwaebonyi to Ezekwesili and appropriate sanction on the senator by the red chamber.

“We trust that the Senate Ethics and Privileges Committee will take decisive action to uphold the integrity of the National Assembly and ensure that all individuals engaging with the legislature are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve as citizens.”

The group reaffirmed its commitment to democratic values, civic engagement, and good governance in Nigeria, stressing the need for accountability and ethical leadership.