Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi has announced his intention to report former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, to Igbo traditional leaders after a heated exchange between them at a Senate committee hearing.

The incident occurred on March 25 during a session of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. The hearing was centered around a fresh petition by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. Ezekwesili attended the hearing as a witness, while Nwaebonyi spoke in defense of Akpabio.

During the session, Nwaebonyi repeatedly interrupted Ezekwesili, leading her to respond, “Please, will you shut up?” She also urged him to compose himself and stop making noise. This remark angered Nwaebonyi, who found it offensive and unacceptable.

Speaking on AIT’s breakfast program, ‘Kakaaki,’ on March 31, Nwaebonyi expressed his displeasure, stating that he could never use such language toward anyone, including his wife or driver. He emphasized his respect for women, highlighting his legal work in defending women’s rights and his efforts in supporting widows and children in need.

Nwaebonyi also felt insulted as both a senator and a red cap chief in Igboland. He argued that it was inappropriate for Ezekwesili, who has never won an election, to speak to him in such a manner. He insisted that he would escalate the matter to Igbo traditional leaders, as he believed such disrespect should not go unchallenged.

The clash has sparked debates, with some viewing it as an issue of cultural respect, while others see it as part of a larger conversation about gender and power dynamics in Nigerian politics.