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Former Education Minister and rights advocate, Oby Ezekwesili, has fiercely criticized the Senate for what she described as a blatant display of patriarchal attitudes during a contentious panel session on Tuesday. The session, convened to address sexual harassment allegations involving suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, quickly devolved into a heated exchange.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme the following day, Ezekwesili recounted her experience, highlighting the systemic challenges women face in male-dominated spaces. She described the verbal clash with Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi as emblematic of the broader societal issue of silencing women and those who demand accountability.

“In this society, there is a historic attitude to voice—not just the voice of women but also those who challenge the status quo,” Ezekwesili stated. “What happened yesterday laid bare the struggles women endure, often unnoticed by the rest of society.”

The drama unfolded as the panel began its proceedings in Abuja. Ezekwesili, alongside Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal counsel, Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, represented the suspended Kogi Central lawmaker. However, tensions flared almost immediately, with a verbal altercation erupting between Ezekwesili and Senator Nwebonyi. The exchange escalated into unprintable name-calling and gender-shaming, leaving the session in disarray.

Ezekwesili accused the committee, led by Senator Neda Imasuen, of bias and called for his recusal to ensure a fair hearing. She argued that the Senate was sidestepping the core issue of sexual harassment, instead focusing on silencing voices of accountability.

“The Senate’s behaviour reflects a troubling pattern of avoiding responsibility,” she said. “No group, no matter how powerful, should be allowed to suppress the voices that demand justice and transparency.”

Akiyode-Afolabi echoed Ezekwesili’s sentiments, describing the panel’s conduct as disrespectful and unprofessional. She accused the Senators of having a predetermined agenda and treating the representatives with disdain.

“They spoke to us as though we were slaves,” Akiyode-Afolabi remarked. “This level of disrespect and patriarchal arrogance is unacceptable, especially from individuals tasked with making decisions for the nation.”

The incident has sparked widespread debate, with many calling for greater accountability and a reevaluation of how such sensitive matters are handled in legislative chambers. For Ezekwesili, the episode serves as a stark reminder of the work still needed to dismantle entrenched patriarchal norms and ensure justice for all.

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