The lawmaker representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi has explained what led to the exchange of words between and former minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili at the National Assembly on Tuesday
There was a heated exchange between the Senator Nwebonyi and Ezekwesili during a hearing by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions over Senator Natasha’s petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Nwebonyi was heard throwing resorted to derogatory remarks like ‘insult to womanhood’ and a ‘hooligan at Ezekwesili during the heated, dramatic exchange of words. .
But while defending himself during an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday evening, accused the former Minister of setting off the dramatic exchange by referrig to him as a hooligan and asking him to shut up despite being a Senator.
“It started when she was asked to be an oath because she said she was a witness. She said, ‘no she can’t be on oath, she can’t oath.’
“As a person, I said I am willing to be sworn on oath so that I can give my own evidence. I was addressing the presiding office. She turned to me and said, ‘Will you shut up your mouth, you are a hooligan.”
Nwebonyi said he was forced to reply Ezekwesili saying: “You are the hooligan. For a mother like you, a grandmother of your age, a former minister of the federal republic to tell a sitting senator to shut up his mouth and added that I am a hooligan.”
The Ebonyi Senator said he has no regret over the hot exchange with Ezekwesili.
He also said he response to the former minister was fair since she was the first person to attack him.
“How can I regret the scenario? I gave it to her. Is it fair for her to address me that way? As a former minister of the federal republic and a grandmother, ask her first,” Nwebonyi said.
