By Victor Nwegede
Igbo elders of Ebonyi extraction under the auspices of Ebonyi State Council of Elders have written to the Senate President of Nigeria, Senator Godswill Akpabio, urging him to protect the authority of the serving lawmakers in the National Assembly.
The elders also declared their unwavering support for the Senate Deputy Chief Whip, and Lawmaker representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi over his conduct during the recent altercation between him and former Nigerian Minister, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili at the Ethics Committee meeting in the National Assembly.
This was contained in a letter titled: "Re- Solidarity with Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi" which was signed by the Chairman of the Ebonyi State Elders' Council, Chief Ben Okah and his Secretary, Elder Nduka Ozo.
According to the letter made available to journalists in Abakaliki by Senator Nwebonyi's Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Romanus Uzor on Wednesday, the group described Senator Nwebonyi as a respected leader who has always been carrying himself with utmost dignity and decorum.
The elders in the letter noted that Senator Nwebonyi's response to Mrs Oby Ezekwesili was in self-defence and necessitated by her blatant display of disrespect to him.
“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-defence, 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," part of the letter read.
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-defence against verbal abuse from Mrs Oby Ezekwesili adding that respect is reciprocal.
“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.
“As elders of Ebonyi State, we uphold the values of dignity, honour, 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 letter added.
They 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 as mutual respect remains the foundation of any democratic discourse.
