The Association of Ebonyi Indigenes Socio-Cultural in the Diaspora (AEISCID) has issued a stern warning to Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, over his public remarks and posture in the ongoing controversy involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a strongly worded statement released in Abuja on Tuesday, the group’s President (Worldwide), Paschal Oluchukwu, condemned Nwebonyi’s conduct, describing it as “un-parliamentary, unwholesome, and unbecoming of a legislator by every known standard.”
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Oluchukwu criticised the Senator’s persistent media appearances and verbal attacks on individuals who have called for a thorough investigation into the sexual harassment allegations made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Senate President. He said Nwebonyi’s defence of Akpabio suggested a fundamental misunderstanding of his role as a lawmaker.
“We have watched, read, and listened with deep concern to the heedless outbursts of one of our sons, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi,” the statement read. “It is both shocking and embarrassing that an ordinarily distinguished senator would resort to verbally attacking respected Nigerians, including Dr Oby Ezekwesili and the character of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a desperate bid to shield the Senate President from public scrutiny.”
The group said it had initially considered ignoring the matter but felt compelled to speak out due to Nwebonyi’s continued “media umbrages” which, it argued, portray Ebonyians in a negative light.
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“For whatever it is worth, Senator Nwebonyi’s outbursts in defence of the accused—almost crying more than the bereaved—leave much to be desired. He has carried himself in a manner that brings shame to his office and ridicule to Ebonyians as a whole,” the statement continued.
AEISCID questioned the senator’s apparent abandonment of his legislative duties, accusing him of turning himself into a “bag-carrying thug” for a colleague who is merely “first among equals.”
“What has been promised or offered to Nwebonyi that has made him reduce himself—and by extension the image of Ebonyi—to such an undignified level? His name-calling, limitless defences, and unprovoked attacks on those lawfully demanding accountability and condemning the suspension of Senator Natasha are disgraceful,” Oluchukwu added.
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The group further alleged that rumours were circulating about a possible political deal involving the 2027 governorship race in Ebonyi State. According to the group, Nwebonyi is believed to have been “tipped” by the ruling party to replace the incumbent governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru—a proposition it firmly rejected.
“Ebonyi cannot continue to be governed by the worst among us, even under the guise of zoning or equity. With his conduct in the 10th National Assembly, Senator Nwebonyi has already disqualified himself from any such consideration,” AEISCID said.
The group concluded by calling on constituents in Ebonyi North to initiate a recall process should the senator continue on what it described as a “disgraceful expedition.”
“Enough should be enough,” the statement declared.
