Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has apologized to former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, following a heated exchange at the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. The clash occurred during a hearing on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s fresh petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, whom she has accused of intimidation and sexual harassment.
Ezekwesili, who appeared as a witness for Akpoti-Uduaghan, faced repeated interruptions from Ebonyi North Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, who was representing Akpabio. Frustrated, she told Nwaebonyi to “compose himself and stop making noise” and added, “please, will you shut up?” In response, Nwaebonyi lashed out, calling Ezekwesili a “fool” and an “insult to womanhood.”
Following the incident, Akpoti-Uduaghan took to X to express gratitude and admiration for Ezekwesili, writing, “Ma’am, I apologise for the insults. Know you took them for me… for us … as a mother and as a leader.” She praised Ezekwesili’s commitment to good governance, education, and democracy.
Ezekwesili later responded, stating, “A torrent of insults is a little price to pay in our resolve to see a Nigeria that becomes.” She emphasized the importance of ensuring future generations do not inherit battles that should have already been fought and won.
The former minister also accused the Senate of evading the main issue of sexual harassment and insisted Akpoti-Uduaghan must get justice, refusing to accept any attempt to silence women in Nigeria’s political space.
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