Knocks as Abia Pep, Alex Ikwechegh, assaults Abuja driver

Nigerians have condemned a member of the House of Representatives, Alex Ikwechegh, for assaulting an e-hailing (Bolt) driver who went to deliver a package to him at his Maitama residence in Abuja.

PUNCH Online reports a viral video which emerged on social media showing the lawmaker verbally and physically assaulting the driver, whose name is yet unknown, for telling him to come out and get the snail the driver was meant to deliver to him.

In the video, the visibly angered member representing Aba North & South Federal Constituency repeatedly insisted that the request was disrespectful given his social status.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance member also threatened to make the driver “disappear” without facing any consequences. When the driver requested the delivery fee, the politician slapped him multiple times, querying if the driver knew who he was talking to.

He said, “Do you know who I am? I can make this man (driver) disappear from the whole of Nigeria, and nothing will happen. Can you imagine this rat? I am not going to give this boy one naira of my money.

“I am not going to call my policemen to beat you up. I will do that myself. I will show you that I am a big brother. I will tie you up, lie you down and put you in my generator house. Do you know where you are? Because you saw me sitting outside here. Look at this monkey.”

However, the video has sparked condemnations from Nigerians, who described the lawmaker’s outburst as unnecessary and the assault on the driver as oppression and abuse of power.

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?”