Former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili has reignited debates on gender bias in Nigeria, declaring that her fiery exchange with Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi at a Senate Committee panel exposed the harsh reality of patriarchy in the country.
Speaking on Channels Television, Ezekwesili reflected on the heated confrontation that took place on Tuesday, March 25, during a panel hearing on the sexual harassment allegations involving suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She argued that the altercation showcased the challenges women face in a male-dominated society, especially when they demand accountability from those in power.
“In this society, there is a historic attitude to voice—not just the voice of women, but of anyone who challenges the status quo,” Ezekwesili asserted. “I was actually very pleased with what happened because now it is in the public domain what women endure daily.”
The dramatic session saw tempers flare as Ezekwesili and Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal representative, Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, appeared before the Senate panel. The tension escalated into a shouting match between Ezekwesili and Senator Nwebonyi, leading to name-calling and what many have described as gender-shaming tactics.
The public fallout from the confrontation has sparked outrage, with many questioning whether the Senate’s treatment of Ezekwesili reflects a broader culture of silencing women in politics. Critics argue that instead of addressing the serious allegations at hand, male lawmakers resorted to intimidation tactics, further highlighting the entrenched gender inequalities in Nigeria’s political landscape.
As the controversy unfolds, Nigerians are left wondering—was this just another heated political exchange, or does it reveal a deeper systemic issue of sexism and suppression of dissenting voices?
