Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, senator representing Ebonyi north, says he ranks higher by “stratification” to Oby Ezekwesili.
He also expressed regret over his choice of words to Ezekwesili, former minister of education, during the senate ethics committee hearing on Tuesday.
Nwaebonyi and Ezekwesili traded words during the senate panel hearing on a fresh petition submitted by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended senator representing Kogi central.
The atmosphere grew tense when the former minister asked Nwaebonyi to shut up during the panel hearing.
The Ebonyi lawmaker had earlier criticized the former minister for first calling him a “hooligan” and ordering a serving senator to “shut up”.
Speaking during an interview with newsmen, the deputy chief whip of the senate admitted that his remarks were inappropriate, taking into account Ezekwesili’s age.
Ezekwesili, the 61-year-old politician, served as the minister of solid minerals and the minister of education under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“I must also say that I regret my choice of words towards her. She is old enough to be my mother,” Nwaebonyi said.
“However, her actions brought up my reaction. But having admitted publicly to what she said, I acknowledge that, and I commend her for it.”
Responding to whether such incidents deter female participation in politics, Nwaebonyi defended his record on encouraging women in politics.
“I’m one of those senators that has been supporting women’s emancipation and participation in politics,” he said.
“Respect is earned, not commanded. If you respect me, I respect you. If you yab me, I yab you.
“I am a senator of the Federal Republic by social stratification, I am higher than her in this country.
“She is supposed to respect me. She was a minister, but a senator is more senior than a minister.
“Respect is earned. She had no right to speak to me in that manner, telling me to shut up. That was immature.
“She got to her level by accident. But since she has now admitted publicly that she told me to shut up, I commend her for that.”
Late Tuesday, Ezekwesili admitted telling the lawmaker to shut up after the panel prevented them from speaking.
She added that Nwaebonyi’s reaction reflected the “indecorous behaviour” of some public officials in the country.
The Cable
