Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, has expressed regret over his heated exchange with former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, during a Senate hearing on Tuesday.
Gatekeepers News reports that Nwaebonyi admitted that his choice of words was inappropriate, especially considering Ezekwesili’s age.
The confrontation began when Ezekwesili attempted to intervene after a petitioner’s microphone was turned off. Nwaebonyi took offense at Ezekwesili’s comment, instructing him to “compose himself and stop making noise.” He responded by calling her a “fool” and “an insult to womanhood,” prompting Ezekwesili to label him a “hooligan.”
During an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, he said: “I regret my choice of words to her because she’s old enough to be my mother. 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.”
Nwaebonyi justified his outburst, stating that Ezekwesili had no right to address him in such a manner. However, he commended her for publicly admitting to her remarks.
“She has no right to talk to me and to talk to me in that way, for me to shut up my mouth, it means that she’s not mature. She got to her level by accident, and I maintain my stand. She has admitted publicly, and having done so, I commend her.”
When asked about the potential impact on female participation in Nigerian politics, Nwaebonyi defended his record, stating, “I’m one of those senators that has been supporting women’s emancipation and participation in politics.”
