The Coalition of over 350 women groups strongly condemns the recent disgraceful conduct exhibited by Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi during the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges hearing held on March 25th March 2025.
The group, in a press statement signed by its Media/Communications Officer, Caroline Osang, said that Nwebonyi’s use of insulting and vulgar language towards Dr Oby Ezekwesili, a respected leader and an invaluable asset to Nigeria, was completely unacceptable and must not go unaddressed.
The group added: “ This hearing, which was meant to deliberate on critical issues relating to justice and governance, descended into a spectacle of disrespect and arrogance, as Senator Nwebonyi shamelessly targeted Ezekwesili.
“Instead of maintaining the dignity and seriousness that the Senate hearing demanded, Senator Nwebonyi opted to derail the proceedings, mocking the petitioners and disregarding the importance of the matters at hand.
“He not only interrupted the process but dismissed our efforts as ‘unserious’ and a ‘waste of time,’ adding that he was ‘ready to be a witness for the Senate President since we were not serious.’ Such condescending and dismissive rhetoric is an open attempt to silence the voices of women advocating for justice. This conduct is wholly unbecoming of a public official.”
The Coalition stressed as a coalition, it demands an immediate and unequivocal apology from Nwebonyi for his actions and also calls upon the Senate Committee members present at the hearing to take responsibility for failing to call him to order during the hearing.
“The failure of the committee to intervene not only condoned this egregious behaviour but also perpetuated a culture of disregard for women’s voices in the political space. This cannot and will not be tolerated,” said Osang.
Osang further said that Nwebonyi’s actions were not simply a difference of opinion, “they were an intentional and calculated attempt to undermine the credibility of women speaking out in pursuit of justice. This is an example of the abuse of power, rooted in gender-based violence, that seeks to intimidate and silence women who dare to challenge the status quo. It is a stark reminder of how women continue to be marginalized in political and public discourse. Senator Nwebonyi’s behaviour reflects an alarming disregard for the values of fairness, dignity, and respect.”
The group stated that Ezekwesili was the Former Minister of Education and currently the Chairperson of Women Political Leaders (WPL), and had always stood firm in defending the right of women to be heard and respected in all spaces, particularly in politics.
Osang said: “We will not allow this assault on our dignity to stand. Senator Nwebonyi’s actions were an affront not only to Oby Ezekwesili but to every woman who believes in fairness, equality, and justice. Women across the country are watching, and we will not accept this disrespect.
“We demand that the Senate Committee members take immediate action to hold Senator Nwebonyi accountable for his disgraceful behaviour. We expect them to issue a public apology, not only to Oby Ezekwesili but also to the women of Nigeria whose voices are systematically belittled and ignored in political spaces.
“Let it be clear that we, the women of this nation, will not allow any further disrespect to go unchecked. We will continue to demand justice, equality, and accountability in every forum. We will continue to fight for the dignity and respect of all women, and we will not rest until Senator Nwebonyi and the Senate Committee are held fully accountable for their actions.
“This fight is far from over, and we stand united in our pursuit of justice for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and for all women who have been silenced, marginalized, and disrespected in political spaces. Our resolve is stronger than ever: This Injustice Shall Not Be Sustained, and we add, Never!”
Some members of the Coalition are as follows;
100 Women Lobby Group (100WLG)
9jafeminista
Action Aid Nigeria
ACTS Generation GBV
Ade Grange Child Foundation
ADEM Community Human Development Foundation
Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF)
Advocate for Health and Development Initiative
Affirmative Action Initiative for Women (NCAA)
African Women’s Initiative/ Verity CNET
African Women’s Initiative (AWI)
Ajegunle Community Project
Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation
Alliances for Africa
Amaclare Connect and Development Initiative
Amazing Grace Inspirations
Aminchi Women Cooperative Society
Amuwo odofin local government
ARDA Development Communication Inc.
Arise Nigerian Woman Foundation.
Association Against Women Exploitation and Degradation (AAWED)
Association of Nigeria Women’s Business Network (ANWBN)
Association of Women in Trade and Agriculture (AWITA)
ATATA Development and Empowerment Foundation (ADEF)
AYO Fadugba KYF Foundation
Baobab for Women’s Human Rights
BLECCA Foundation
Bring Back Our Girls
Briskila Emefesi Women Foundation (BEWOF)
Brooklyn College, City University of New York, USA
Cece Yara Foundation
Cedar Seed Foundation
CEE-HOPE Nigeria
Center for Economic Empowerment and Gender Activities (CEEGA)
Center for Transparency Advocacy
Center for Women’s Health and Information
Centre for Alternative Development and Self-Enhancement (CEADESE NG)
Centre for Health and Development in Africa (CHEDA)
Centre for Media and Development Communications
Centre for Nonviolence and Gender Advocacy in Nigeria (CENGAIN)
Centre for Peace Education and Community Development
Centre for Women’s Health and Information (CEWHIN)
Change Managers International Network
Charity Women Spring of Salvation
Chedal Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society
Child Care and Adult Protection Initiative(CCAPI)
Choung-Dung Women Association.
Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS)
Christian Women in Nigerian Politics
Citizens Center for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR)
Citizenship and Human Development Initiative
Civil Resource Development and Documentation Center (CIRDDOC)
Community and Youth Development
Community Education Advancement of Peace and Development Initiative (CEAPDI)
Community Initiative for a Healthy and Peaceful Society
Community Life Project (CLP)
Community Partners for Development (CPD)
Community Rescue Initiative (CRI)
Community Women Initiatives (CWI)
Country Associates Network
Country Associates Network (CAN)
Courageous People Health and Development Initiative (CPHDL)
Crestville Development Foundation
Champion Women Entrepreneurs Mentoring Association (CWEMA)
Daria Media Foundation (DMF)
Development in Practice Gender and Entrepreneurial Initiative (DIPGEI)
Digi Civic Initiative
Dinidari Foundation
Dorothy Njemanze Foundation (DNF)
Dr. Oby Ezekwesili
Dream Alive Women and Orphans Support Foundation (DAWOS Foundation)
Echoes of Women in Africa Initiatives
Edo Women’s Development Initiative
Education As a Vaccine (EVA)
Emerge Women Development Initiative (EWDI)
Empowerment and Action
Enough is Enough (EIE)
Equality Through Education Foundation (ETEF)
Equity Advocates and The Woman Today Newspaper TWT
FACICP Disability Plus
Federation of Informal Workers of Nigeria (FIWON)
Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN)
Federation of Paralegal Network (FEDPAN)
Fembridge Development Initiative (FEDI)
First Future Leadership
First Future Leadership Company/Gate
Ford Foundation
Former Women Action Organization (WAO)
Forum of Women in Politics (FONWIP)
Forward in Action for Education, Poverty and Malnutrition (FACE-PAM)
Foundation for Justice Development and Peace (FJDP)
Gender Action Awareness Trust
Gender and Community Empowerment Initiative
Gender and Constitution Reform Network (GECORN)
Gender and Development Action (GADA)
Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative (GERI)
Gender Awareness Trust (GAT)
Gender Development Initiative
Gender Equality Center
Gender Equality, Peace and Development Centre
Gender Strategy Advancement International (GSAI)
Gender Technical Unit (GTU)
Gender Equality, Peace and Development Centre
Gender Relevance Initiative Promotion (GRIP)
Girl Child Advocacy and Education Initiatives
Girl Child Africa
Girl Child Education, Care & Rehabilitation
Girl Education Rehabilitation and Care (GERAC)
Girls Power Initiative (GPI)
Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation (GLOHWOC)
Green Spring Development Initiative
Habiba Dangana (Hadis) Foundation
Heal Disability Initiative
Health Education and Human Rights Advocacy Initiative
Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria(HERFON)
HEIR Women Development
Help Initiative for Social Justice & Humanitarian Development
Help Initiative for Social Justice & Humanitarian Development
Hope for New Life (HNL)
Independent consultant
Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD)
Inter Africa Committee (IAC)
Inter Gender Peace Foundation (IGPF)
International Action Network on Small Arms Women Network (IANSA)
International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)
International Hairstylists, Barber and Body Therapists (IHSTOBAN)
International Women Communication Centre (IWCC)
Iyaniwura Children Care Foundation (ICCF)
Jamatul Nasir Islam, Women Wing
Jana Health Foundation (JHF)
Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
Julie Oyegun
Justice Development and Peace Mission (JDPM)
Kebetkache Women Development And Resources Centre
Kilimanjaro Youth Foundation (KYF)
KMashi Gamji Women
Koyenum Immalah Foundation
Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND)
Kungiyar Tallafin Mata Development Initiative (KTMDI)
League of Queens International Empowerment (LQIE)
League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV)
LEDAP
Legislative Advocacy Coalition on Violence Against Women Initiative (LACVAW)
Lift Initiative
Mary Afansmallscale women farmers organization on Nigeria (SWOFON)
MBULA Women Association
Media & Teens Network
Media Concern Initiative
Media Concern Initiative for Women and Children
MODAC
More Women in Politics
Mothers United and Mobilised (MUMs)
My Voice My Future NGO
Nasrul – Lahi-L- Faith Society (NASFAT)
National Centre for Women Development
National Council of Women Societies (NCWS)
NAWE
NAWORG
NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women
Neighbourhood Care-Well Foundation
Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria
Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria, NRHJN
NEWA
Next Initiative for Gender Actions (NIGA)
NGAS Women Farmers’ Cooperative Society
Nigeria Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ)
Nigeria For Women Project
Nigeria Labour Congress, Women Committee
Nigerian Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ)
Nigerian Express
Nigerian Women Politics Forum
Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NTWF)
Nkata Ndi Inyom Igbo (NNII)
None for now
Ogayem Merciful Care and Support Initiatives (OMCSI)S
Ogun Women Alive
Okwuzi Women Forum
Olive Community Development Initiatives
Onomese Foundation
Open Arms Initiative for Sustainable Development (OPAISD)
Osi Joe Touching Lives Initiative
Ovie Brume Foundation
OvieBrumeFoundation
Partners West Africa Nigeria
Peasant Dragnet
Princess Olufemi-Kayode
Proactive Gender Initiative (PGI)
Purple Hibiscus Foundation
Quinnipiac University
Ray of Hope Community Foundation
Relief Development Initiative Kaduna
Research Centre (EARC)
Responsible Citizenship and Human Development Initiative
Safe Space Initiative
Save a Child Lend a Hand Foundation
Sesor Empowerment Foundation
She for she Africa Initiative
She Forum Africa
She Mentors Initiative
Shout Global Health
Small-scale Women Farmers Organization of Nigeria (SWOFON)
South- South Professional Women Association.
Stand to End Rape (STER)
Stephanie Peace Building Development Foundation
Support For Needy Children and Women Initiative (SUNCHI)
Taraba State University
TechHerNG
The Guardian Newspapers, Nigeria
The Inclusion Project (TIP)
The Kilimanjaro
The Priceless Jewels
The Purple Foundation
THR Media
Tonia Bruised but Not Broken Foundation
Transformation and Development Center (TDC)
Transition Monitoring Group
Tunde & Friends Foundation (TAFF)
UC Women Commission
UTO Foundation
Vision Spring Initiatives (VSI)
Voice of Ogun Women (VOW)
WEPDN
West African Network for Peace
WEWENETWORK AFRIQUE
Widows Development Organization (WIDO)
WISCAR
Woman-Being Concern Nigeria (WBC)
Women &Youth Awareness Empowerment Network (WOYAEN)
Women Advocacy, HIV Prevention and Other Diseases (WAHPOD)
Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC)
Women Aid Collective (WACOL)
Women and Youth Empowerment for Advancement and Health Initiative
Women AT Risk International Foundation(WARIF)
Women Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON)
Women Democracy Network Africa – Nigeria
Women education advocacy and development Initiatives (WEADI)
Women Empowerment and Initiative Development
Women Empowerment and Reproductive Health Centre (WERHC)
Women Empowerment Education and Peace Building Initiative (WEPBI)
Women Environmental Programme (WEP)
Women Farmers Alliance (WFA)
Women for Peace and Gender Equality Initiative (WOPEGEE)
Women for Women International
Women Foundation Initiative (WFI)
Women Foundation of Nigeria (WFN)
Women in Action for Positive Development and Gender Enhancement Center (WAPDAGEC) Women Action Organization (WAO)
Women in Africa Initiative (WIAI)
Women in Agriculture (WIA)
Women in Extractives
Women in Extractives Women in Management Buisness and Public Service (WIMBIZ)
Women in Mining (WIM)
Women in Mining initiative Nigeria
Women Information Network (WINET)
Women Initiative for Democracy and Empowerment (WIDE)
Women Initiative on Climate change
Women Law and Development Initiative (WOLDI)
Women Law Development Center of Nigeria (WLDCN)
Women Lead Agric (WLA)
Women League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)
Women of Vision Development Initiative
Women Optimum Development Foundation-WODEF
Women Protection Organization (WOPO)
Women Right to Education Programme (WREP)
Women Wing of The Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN)
Women Youth and Children Upliftment Foundation (WYCUT)
Women, Infants and Children Care Initiative (WICCI)
Women, Youths and Children Advancement Program
Women’s Optimum Development Foundation-WODEF
Women’s Crisis Centre Owerri
Women’s Leadership Group (WLG)
Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA)
Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP)
Women Preneurs (AWEBO)
Womens Crisis Centre Owerri
Working Moms Africa (WMA)
Yiaga Africa
Yeye Adenike Agnes Shobajo Women’s Group Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Youth Future Savers Initiative (YFSI)
Zonta International Club of Lagos 1
