Ezekwesili: Clash With Senator Reveals Systemic Challenges Facing Nigerian Women
Former minister says heated Senate exchange exposed deep-seated gender biases in governance
Former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili has framed her fiery confrontation with Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi as a microcosm of the struggles Nigerian women face in public life, following their tense exchange at a Senate hearing on sexual harassment allegations involving suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“What Women Endure”
Speaking to Channels Television on Wednesday, the transparency advocate expressed satisfaction that the incident had brought gender dynamics into sharp focus:
“I was actually very pleased with what happened yesterday because now it’s in the public domain what women endure in many instances,” Ezekwesili stated. “The rest of society may know little about it but has not focused on it.”
The altercation occurred during a Senate Committee session investigating Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Ezekwesili, appearing alongside the suspended senator’s lawyer Abiola Akiyide-Afolabi, engaged in a heated back-and-forth with Senator Nwaebonyi that quickly went viral.
A Pattern of Resistance
The former World Bank vice president contextualized the clash as symptomatic of institutional resistance to women’s participation:
“In this society, there is a historic attitude to voice – not just the voice of women, but those who say they do not agree with a situation or who, like me, are persistent in demanding public accountability.”
Eyewitnesses reported that tensions escalated when Ezekwesili pressed for rigorous scrutiny of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims, prompting what observers described as dismissive responses from some committee members.
Social Media Firestorm
The incident has ignited fierce debate online, with #NigerianWomenInPolitics trending as users shared clips of the exchange. Feminist groups have seized on the episode to highlight broader concerns:
- Underrepresentation: Women constitute just 3.6% of Nigeria’s National Assembly
- Harassment Culture: A 2023 UN Women survey found 82% of female politicians reported gender-based intimidation
- Accountability Gaps: Only 12% of sexual misconduct claims against officials result in investigations
Broader Implications
Political analysts suggest the fallout could influence ongoing constitutional review discussions about gender quotas. Activist groups are planning solidarity marches at the National Assembly next week, demanding:
- Expedited hearing of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition
- Anti-harassment training for lawmakers
- Legislation mandating gender-balanced committees
Ezekwesili concluded with a challenge: “When women speak truth to power, the system reacts violently to silence them. Yesterday showed Nigeria this reality in HD clarity.”
The Senate has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the conduct of its members during the session.
