Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate and representative of Ebonyi North, has declared his intention to escalate his dispute with former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili to Igbo traditional leaders after she publicly told him to "shut up" during a Senate committee hearing.
The heated exchange occurred on March 25, 2025, during a session examining Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio .
Nwaebonyi, appearing as a witness in defense of Akpabio, repeatedly interrupted Ezekwesili, who was present alongside Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team. Frustrated, Ezekwesili retorted, "Compose yourself and stop making noise," before demanding, "Please, will you shut up?" a remark that provoked an immediate backlash from the senator .
A Clash of Status and Respect
Nwaebonyi, a self-described "red cap chief" in Igboland a traditional title denoting high status took deep offense at the public rebuke. He emphasized his advocacy for women’s rights, citing pro bono legal victories for women denied inheritance and his initiatives supporting over 300 widows with housing and education . "As a person, I can’t talk to my wife like that in public. I respect women," he asserted, contrasting his record with Ezekwesili’s conduct .
The senator also dismissed Ezekwesili’s political credentials, noting she had "never won a ward councillorship election," while he secured "over 500,000 votes" to enter the Senate . His threat to involve Igbo traditional leaders underscores the cultural weight of the insult, as red cap chiefs are revered figures in Igbo society .
Ezekwesili’s Defense and Broader Fallout
Ezekwesili later framed her outburst as a response to procedural disruptions, stating she sought clarity before testifying . However, Nwaebonyi rejected her justification, demanding an apology and retracting an initial conciliatory remark: "She doesn’t deserve it" .
The clash has polarized public opinion, with Ebonyi youths condemning Ezekwesili’s "disrespect" and praising Nwaebonyi’s leadership , while others view the feud as a distraction from the unresolved harassment allegations against Akpabio .
The incident highlights tensions between traditional authority and modern political discourse in Nigeria, as well as the gendered dynamics of public confrontations. Nwaebonyi’s recourse to Igbo customary structures signals a strategic escalation, potentially reshaping the narrative around Akpabio’s scandal .
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Sources: The Guardian, The Cable, The Nation
