By Prosper Mene,April 23, 2025
Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, representing Ebonyi North, has sparked controversy with a call to remove women he deems “disrespectful” from Nigerian politics. While reaffirming his support for womenโs inclusion in governance, the senator emphasized that a line must be drawn at what he described as a growing trend of disrespect from some female politicians.
Speaking at a recent public event, Nwebonyi argued that while womenโs participation in politics is essential for national development, certain female politicians exhibit behavior that undermines the dignity of public office. โI am a champion of women in politics, but we cannot tolerate those who bring disrespect and chaos to our institutions,โ he stated, without naming specific individuals. He suggested that such politicians should be sidelined to preserve the integrity of Nigeriaโs political landscape.
The senatorโs remarks come after his highly publicized altercation with former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, during a Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges hearing on March 25, 2025. The hearing, convened to address allegations of sexual harassment involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, descended into a heated exchange when Nwebonyi reportedly used derogatory language toward Ezekwesili, prompting widespread condemnation from over 350 womenโs groups. The coalition demanded an apology, describing his conduct as โdisgracefulโ and a deliberate attempt to silence womenโs voices.
Nwebonyiโs latest comments have called for debates about gender dynamics in Nigerian politics, where women remain significantly underrepresented. According to a 2025 report, only 4 out of 108 senators and 16 out of 360 House of Representatives members are women, highlighting systemic barriers to female participation. Critics argue that Nwebonyiโs stance risks further marginalizing women in a political sphere already fraught with violence, sexism, and exclusion.
A coalition of womenโs organizations, including ActionAid Nigeria and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), condemned Nwebonyiโs remarks, calling them a โveiled attack on women who challenge the status quo.โ They urged the Senate to hold him accountable and reaffirmed their commitment to advocating for justice and equity in governance.
Supporters of Nwebonyi, however, argue that his comments address a broader issue of decorum in politics, applicable to all politicians regardless of gender. โThe senator is not against women; heโs against disorderly conduct that disrupts governance,โ said a spokesperson for the Ebonyi North senator.
The controversy has drawn mixed reactions from Nigerians with some praising Nwebonyi for addressing perceived lapses in political conduct, while others accuse him of perpetuating patriarchal attitudes.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, Nwebonyiโs statements are likely to fuel further discussions on the treatment of women in politics and the cultural changes needed to ensure their full inclusion.
