A disturbing video featuring Alex Ikwechegh, a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives from Abia State, has gone viral, showing him berating and threatening a Bolt driver in Abuja. The footage has drawn widespread condemnation on social media, prompting calls for accountability and a review of the conduct of public officials.
In the video, a heated exchange occurs between Ikwechegh and the driver, who had come to his residence for a ride-hailing service. Ikwechegh can be heard asking, “Do you know where you are? Do you know who I am?” to which the driver responds, “I don’t want to know, just pay me and let me go.” The situation escalates as the driver insists on being compensated for his service, while the lawmaker refuses payment, accusing the driver of “great disrespect” and allegedly labeling him “very, very stupid.” In a shocking moment, Ikwechegh reportedly threatens, “I can make this man disappear in the whole of Nigeria and nothing would happen.”
The incident has sparked outrage online, with many users criticizing what they perceive as an abuse of power by the elected official. Human rights advocates have demanded an investigation into the matter, highlighting the need for accountability in the treatment of service providers by public officials.
As the backlash intensifies, Ikwechegh has yet to publicly address the incident. The ongoing scrutiny raises questions about the implications of such behavior for public trust in elected representatives.
POLICE INVESTIGATION INITIATED
In a related development, the Abuja Police Command announced that it has launched an investigation into an alleged assault involving a Bolt driver and a passenger in the Galadima area on October 24, 2024. According to a statement from the Command, officers responded swiftly to a distress call. The passenger, identified as Brandy Nwatu, was taken into custody, while the driver, Emmanuel Ebhohimen, received medical attention at the Federal Medical Centre in Jabi.
The growing concerns regarding the treatment of service providers, particularly in confrontational situations involving power dynamics, underscore the need for a broader dialogue on public officials’ accountability and respect for individuals in service roles.
