Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, says her recent exchange with Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, senator representing Ebonyi North, has exposed the challenges women encounter in spaces of power and accountability.

The verbal clash occurred during a Senate panel hearing on a petition submitted by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended senator representing Kogi Central. The tension escalated when Ezekwesili told Nwaebonyi to “shut up”, leading to a heated exchange that included vulgar name-calling and gender-based humiliation.

Addressing the issue in an interview on Tuesday, Ezekwesili acknowledged making the remark after the panel prevented the senator from speaking, adding that Nwaebonyi’s response reflected the “indecorous behaviour” common among some public officials.

In response, Nwaebonyi criticized the former minister for calling him a “hooligan” and expressed regret over his own choice of words during the session.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, Ezekwesili said she was pleased with the exchange as it exposed societal attitudes toward outspoken women.

“There is a historic attitude towards voice not just the voice of women but of those who challenge the status quo and demand public accountability,” she said.

Ezekwesili also accused Neda Imasuen, chairman of the Senate panel, of bias and called for his withdrawal to ensure justice and fairness in the hearing.

She maintained that the sexual harassment allegations raised by Akpoti-Uduaghan were being sidelined by political distractions and vowed to continue demanding accountability.