The Federal Capital Territory’s Igbo community has urged the Senate to discipline Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi after he got into a fight with former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili, according to Dailypost.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
The dispute occurred during a Senate Committee hearing on a petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, filed on behalf of suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The clash between Nwebonyi and Ezekwesili sparked outrage, prompting the Igbo Community Association in Abuja to express deep disappointment over the lawmaker’s conduct.
In a statement released by its President General, Engr. Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, the association condemned Nwebonyi’s remarks, describing them as highly inappropriate, especially when directed at a woman widely respected across Nigeria. The group criticized the Senator’s language, particularly given that it occurred during discussions surrounding allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio.
“It’s even more revealing that the disparagement came during the hearing of Senator Natasha Uduaghan’s sexual harassment allegation.
“It indeed shows the lack of respect the Senate has towards women,” the statement partly reads.
The association lamented what it described as a disregard for women within the Senate, noting that the legislative body, dominated by male members, should uphold principles of respect and dignity. According to the group, Nwebonyi’s actions were not only an embarrassment to the Senate but also a disgrace to the Igbo people he represents.
The community insisted that the Senator must be held accountable, demanding a public apology to both Ezekwesili and the broader Igbo nation. They warned that failure to do so would provoke strong reactions from the Igbo community in Abuja, including mass protests.
Highlighting Ezekwesili’s long-standing contributions to national development, the group emphasized that she deserved respect, not public ridicule. They urged the Senate to take swift action against Nwebonyi, stressing that the mistreatment of women within the legislative chamber must not be tolerated.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
