In a video from Thursday’s Senate plenary that has since gone viral, Nwebonyi urged the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to extend the ongoing infrastructural redevelopment of Abuja to the airport’s surrounding areas.
“The infrastructure around Abuja Airport does not project a positive image of Nigeria,” he said. “I urge the Minister to include the relocation or renewal of these communities in the next FCT budget. These buildings are the first impression many visitors get, and currently, it’s an eyesore.”
However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio pushed back against the proposal, arguing that the call for relocation was insensitive to the residents. Using his home state of Akwa Ibomas an example, he questioned the logic of judging a nation’s image solely by what is visible during descent into an airport.
“This community is someone’s home,” Akpabio said. “When you descend into Akwa Ibom, you see rivers and creeks. Should we relocate those too because they spoil someone’s view?”
The bill was subsequently put to a voice vote and was rejected by the Senate.
The debate follows another recent controversy involving Nwebonyi, who clashed with former Education Minister Obiageli Ezekwesili during a committee hearing on a separate matter. When Nwebonyi pressed to make a submission, Ezekwesili interjected, saying, “Can you shut up?”
The remark led to a heated exchange, with Nwebonyi firing back, “You can never be a senator. You are an insult to womanhood.” The incident has drawn public criticism and further scrutiny of the young senator’s conduct in office.
