….Urges The Senate To Protect The Authority Of Serving Lawmakers.
The Ebonyi State Council of Elders has written the Senate President- His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio declaring their heavyweight support for the Senate Deputy Chief Whip and Senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial district- Distinguished Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi over his conduct during the recent altercation between him and Dr Oby Ezekwesili at the Ethics Committee meeting in the National Assembly.
In a Letter titled: RE- SOLIDARITY WITH SENATOR PETER ONYEKACHI NWEBONYI and signed by the Chairman of the Ebonyi State Elders Council- “High Chief Engr Ben Okah and his Secretary- Elder Nduka Ozo, it emphasized that Senator Nwebonyi is a respected leader who carries himself with utmost dignity and decorum noting that his response to Mrs Oby Ezekwesili was in self defense and necessitated by her blatant display of disrespect to him. Part of the letter reads:
“ The Ebonyi State Council of Elders writes to express our unequivocal support for our illustrious son, Distinguished Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, following the recent altercation between him and Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili during a Senate Committee sitting.
“We have keenly followed the narratives surrounding this unfortunate incident and wish to categorically state that Senator Nwebonyi’s response to Mrs. Ezekwesili was an act of self-defense, necessitated by her blatant display of disrespect.
“While we hold in high regard the fundamental principles of respect, decorum, and civility in public engagements, we strongly believe that no individual, no matter how highly placed, has the right to publicly demean an elected representative of the people.”
The Council equally cautioned the social media peddlers to desist from their media trials and vilification of Senator Nwebonyi stressing that his action was in self defense against verbal abuse from Mrs Oby Ezekwesili adding that respect is reciprocal. It reads:
“It is disheartening to observe how some voices on social media have attempted to vilify Senator Nwebonyi, overlooking the fact that his reaction was prompted by unwarranted provocation.”
The group strongly maintained that it is unacceptable for any individual to undermine Senator Nwebonyi’s authority or treat him with disdain in an official setting noting that the principle of mutual respect must be upheld, and public figures must recognize the importance of maintaining decorum, especially when addressing elected representatives.
“As elders of Ebonyi State, we uphold the values of dignity, honor, and reciprocity of respect, and we frown at any attempt to trample upon these ideals under the guise of free speech.
“Senator Nwebonyi has always carried himself with dignity and has demonstrated commitment to the welfare of his constituents.”
The Council further urged the Senate to take necessary steps to prevent a recurrence of such incidents, where individuals, regardless of their past or present status, seek to denigrate the authority of serving lawmakers stressing that the recent scenario should serve as a lesson to all that mutual respect remains the foundation of any democratic discourse while conveying the assurances of the Council’s esteemed regards to the Senate President.
