- APGA condemns lawmaker’s assault on Abuja driver by Abia Rep, Alex Ikwechegh
The Nigeria Police Force has urged Nigerians to refrain from using the office or the name of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to intimidate others following an assault on an e-hailing (Bolt) driver, Stephen Abuwatseya by a member of the House of Representatives, Alex Ikwechegh, on Sunday.
According to the police, using the IG’s name or office could undermine the values of impartiality that the office upholds in the country.
The Force, in a post via its official X.com handle on Monday stated these while reacting to
The distressed driver, Stephen Abuwatseya who had gone to deliver a package to the Reps Member in a viral video, filmed what transpired between them in Ikwechegh’s residence in Maitama, Abuja.
The video showed the visibly angered Reps member representing Aba North & South Federal Constituency (APGA) repeatedly slapping and insulting the driver for telling him to come out and get the snail the driver was meant to deliver to him.
In the footage, Ikwechegh insisted that the request was disrespectful given his social status while threatening to make the driver “disappear” without facing any consequences.
“Do you know who I am? I can make this man (driver) disappear in 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.
Watch the video here.
“I am not going to call my policemen to beat you up, I will do that myself. I will show that I am a big brother to you, 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.”
When the driver requested the delivery fee, the politician slapped him multiple times querying if the driver knew who he was talking to.
“Do you know who I am I just slapped you and there’s nothing you will do. My name is Honourable Alex Ikwechegh, tell them (public) I slapped you. Call the Inspector General of Police that I slapped you, let him come. Record me very well,” he boasted.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, on Monday, condemned the alleged assault.
APGA, while reacting to the viral video, said the lawmaker’s reaction is condemnable in all ramifications, adding that as a lawmaker under its platform, his behaviour fell short of the party’s constitution.
The party’s reaction was contained in a press statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, on Monday.
The statement read in part, “The attention of our great party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance 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, Alex Ikwechegh.
“As a political party founded on respect for Human Rights, we roundly condemn the action of our said member and Federal Parliamentarian, Alex 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 Ikwechegh assaulting a cab driver is totally unacceptable and runs counter to what our Party – APGA – represents.
“In line with APGA’s constitution, the Leadership of the Party shall set up a disciplinary committee to investigate the act, and if found wanting, appropriate sanctions shall be meted on him in line with the Constitution of APGA.”
According to Opara, 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.
“Our party shall not tolerate any verifiable conduct that is not in tandem with the ideals of our founding fathers. In APGA, we are our Brother’s and Sister’s keeper and it cannot be any other way,” the statement added.
