House of Reps and APGA reacts as Nigerians demand suspension of Alex Ikwechegh for assaulting Bolt driver

The House of Representatives and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have reacted as public outcry intensifies, with Nigerians calling for the suspension of Alex Ikwechegh following allegations of his involvement in the assault of a Bolt driver.

On Sunday, a Bolt driver named Stephen Abuwatseya alleged that Alex Ikwechegh, a House of Representatives member, assaulted him and tore his shirt when he arrived to deliver a package at the lawmaker’s residence in Abuja.

In a video circulating on social media, Abuwatseya is seen asking Ikwechegh for payment, but the lawmaker refuses, claiming the driver had shown disrespect. Angrily, Ikwechegh calls the business owner to report the driver, threatening to “make this man disappear in Nigeria, and nothing will happen.”

The situation escalates as the two exchange words, and the lawmaker approaches the driver, with the sound of an apparent physical attack in the background. The driver is heard asking, “Are you slapping me, sir?” and Ikwechegh responds, questioning his audacity.

In a follow-up video, the driver alleges the lawmaker slapped him three times and tore his shirt. Ikwechegh then challenges him to contact the police, adding, “Call the Inspector General of Police… You come to my house, you disrespect me.”

Abuwatseya denies showing any disrespect and requests his payment so he can leave. Since the video surfaced, Ikwechegh has not publicly addressed the incident.

The development generated widespread outcry as many Nigerians demanded the suspension of the lawmaker for abuse of power, threat to life, and others.

Reacting, a netizen who tweets as @Yucee_ wrote, “This is pure oppression and wickedness. so a Bolt driver went to deliver something to a Politician, and this happened just because the driver asked the man to come to the car to pick up his stuff! This is currently happening now at Maitama.”

On X, a user, @Nevosys, tweeted, “The Honourable expected a full delivery, not to pick up items himself. Delivery drivers should bring items to recipients, not vice versa. But the bolt driver thought he was the main guard to the boss. Most delivery companies operate that way.”

Another netizen who tweets as @abalaka_sunday posted, “How about investigating and inviting him about those that have disappeared so far without a trace? There’s a tendency he may have to make some people disappear from someone or people before without anything happening. From words people use, it’s possible confirmation of their historical events.”

Another X.com user, Did, posting as @ndidi_patricia, wrote, “A misguided idiot who abused the limited power he was given. What stops him from sending someone to grab the package if he’s too big to pick his own package lol …this country is in deep shit.”

A tweep, Hime Sama, who identifies as @himesama_01, posted, “Do you know who I am?” Yes, we know!” You’re one of the wicked, power-drunk individuals making life extra difficult for Nigerians who are already suffering the consequences of your greed and the bad decisions of your government. Utterly revolting.”

One X.com user, Rachael Efe, posting as @richrayefe, wrote, “Power intoxicates aswear. Such an irresponsible behaviour.”

A netizen, who tweets as @amourab, wrote, “The Nigerian dream is just ‘the ability to have money and power to oppress others and show that I pass my neighbours.’ We are generally not good people.”

Another netizen who tweets as @Maliqifeoluwa, wrote, “Just imagine a federal HoR member speaking this way. These are the kind of people we vote into power. People who are supposed to fight for the masses are acting this way, chai.”

One X.com user, Tweeter_Headmaster, posting as @nosafk, wrote, “The funny thing is that the man told the truth. Nothing will happen. Oppressors na dem be. Imagine how many people have experienced such cruelty from the man. Na who dem catch be thief. Many others are doing worse. We only don’t know. Even many of those under this comment section are worse.”

On X, a user, @Timi_i_, wrote, “A similar situation happened in the UK yesterday. The said MP is now under ‘voluntary investigation’ and has been administratively suspended by his party. Will the same thing happen in this scenario?”

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has described the behavior of the lawmaker representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Alex Ikwechegh, as unacceptable.

The National Publicity Secretary of APGA, Ejimofor Opara, in a statement issued Monday, condemned the behavior of the lawmaker.

The statement reads: “The attention of our great party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has been drawn to a viral video of alleged assault meted out to a citizen by the Honourable member representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency, Hon Alex Ikwechegh.

“As a political party founded on respect for human rights, we roundly condemn the action of our said member and Federal Parliamentarian, Hon Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency, on the platform of our great party.

“As a party, we are founded on the basic principles of upholding the dignity of all humans irrespective of class, creed, and/or ethnicity.

“The recent video allegedly showing Hon Ikwechegh assaulting a cab driver is totally unacceptable and runs counter to what our party—APGA—represents.

Opara added that in line with APGA’s constitution, the leadership of the party would set up a disciplinary committee to investigate the act, and if found wanting, appropriate sanctions would be meted out to him in line with the Constitution of APGA.

He added that all members of APGA, and indeed all elected officials on the platform of the party, are expected to exhibit the highest standards of decorum, civility and integrity in all public and private engagements.

He stressed that the party would not tolerate any verifiable conduct that is not in tandem with the ideals of its founding fathers.

House of Reps condemns lawmaker’s assault of Bolt driver, says probe ongoing

The House of Representatives has condemned the assault on a ride-hailing driver by a member of the lower lawmaking House.

House of Representatives in a statement released on Monday on X said it was concerned over the incident which it takes “seriously”.

“These reports, which have garnered widespread media coverage and public attention, detail accusations of a physical confrontation with an e-hailing driver, Citizen Stephen Abuwatseya, and the use of threatening language,” Reps spokesman Akin Rotimi Jr said in a late Monday statement.

“The 10th Assembly, House of Representatives, takes these allegations very seriously. As elected officials, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethical conduct and accountability in our official engagements and privately.
Any behaviour that falls short of these standards is a matter of concern, and we are committed to addressing such issues with the utmost seriousness.

We are aware that the matter is now before the Nigeria Police, and we urge the public to allow the due process of investigation to unfold. We welcome further engagement from the public on the subject, which can be shared via email at akintunde.rotimi@nass.gov.ng, akinrotimi@gmail.com, even as we continue to monitor the situation.

“We remain dedicated to upholding the values of accountability, transparency, and ethical behavior that define the 10th Assembly, House of Representatives. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.”

Lawmaker in custody – Police

Following the development, police authorities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said the lawmaker from Abia State was in its custody.

“Currently, the suspect is at the Maitama Police Station undergoing questioning,” the police said in a statement.