Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, has expressed regret over his choice of words during a heated exchange with former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, at a Senate hearing.
Speaking in an interview, Nwaebonyi acknowledged that his remarks were inappropriate, particularly given Ezekwesili’s age.
“I regret my choice of words to her because she’s old enough to be my mother,” he admitted. However, he maintained that his reaction was provoked by Ezekwesili’s actions.
In response, the senator lashed out, calling Ezekwesili a “fool” and “an insult to womanhood.” She, in turn, branded him a “hooligan,” sparking a dramatic verbal clash that temporarily disrupted the proceedings.
He stated, “But like I said, it is her action that brought up my reaction. But having admitted publicly that she said so, I give it to her.”
The confrontation occurred during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions regarding a fresh petition by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Tensions escalated when Ezekwesili attempted to intervene after a petitioner’s microphone was turned off. Nwaebonyi, who was present as a witness for Senate President Godswill Akpabio, took offense at Ezekwesili’s comment instructing him to “compose himself and stop making noise.”
