Truth or Tactics: Oby Ezekwesili versus Senator Nwebonyi—who is to blame?

Written by Evans Momodu
Published 12:47

The recent showdown between Oby Ezekwesili, the former Minister of Education, and Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi at the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions has sent shockwaves through the media and stirred passionate discussions among Nigerians.

The atmosphere turned tense during a heated debate over the sexual harassment allegations involving Senator Natasha and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Many observers condemned Nwebonyi's outburst, criticising his harsh and disrespectful remarks toward Ezekwesili, a respected elder stateswoman and former World Bank vice president. Conversely, some Nigerians argued that Ezekwesili ignited the fire by telling the senator to "shut up" during a time when they were informed about their inability to proceed due to the absence of the estranged petitioner.

In a compelling interview on Arise TV, Ezekwesili explained the context behind her confrontation with the senator. In her defence, she felt compelled to ask him to shut up when he attempted to take the floor, disregarding the committee’s directive. This provocation led to Nwebonyi lashing out with insults, calling her a "fool" and declaring she was an "insult to womanhood." The committee chamber quickly descended into chaos, filled with heated exchanges as members struggled to regain control.

In Africa, it is believed that before we blame the hawk for wickedness, we must first blame the mother hen for exposing the chicks to the danger of the hawk. This suggests that we should first reflect on the actions that lead to conflict before casting blame. While it’s undeniable that Senator Nwebonyi’s reaction was misplaced and unprofessional, it’s also worth considering what sparks such explosive encounters. It’s ill-advised, for instance, for a father to admonish his adult son publicly, just as it may be seen as inappropriate for Ezekwesili to instruct a sitting senator to be quiet on national television, despite her seniority.

This incident underscores a worrisome lack of emotional intelligence on both sides, which ultimately resulted in the viral outburst now dominating social media. As we reflect on this, all of us must strive for emotional control and maintain a positive and objective approach in our discourse. Only then can we create a more respectful and constructive dialogue around sensitive issues.

Image: Youtube