Outrage as Abia lawmaker allegedly threatens, assaults Bolt driver in Abuja

• A member of the House of Representatives, Alex Mascot Ikwechegh threatened and assaulted a Bolt driver who went to deliver a package to him 
• In a viral video, Ikwechegh claimed the driver disrespected him, and he responded by slapping him multiple times and threatening to make him disappear 
• Nigerians criticised Ikwechegh and called on the authorities to investigate and punish the lawmaker

The internet has been buzzing over a viral video showing Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, a serving lawmaker representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency in the 10th House of Representatives under APGA, allegedly assaulting and threatening a Bolt driver.

The Bolt driver, who is yet to be identified, went to the politician’s residence in Maitama, Abuja, to deliver a package when the incident occurred. 

In the disturbing video filmed by the driver, Ikwechegh was seen slapping the driver multiple times and insulting him for telling him to come out and get the snail he was meant to deliver to him. 

Ikwechegh claimed that the driver disrespected him by asking him to come and get the snail, given his social status. The lawmaker also threatened the driver, saying he could make him disappear without consequence.

Ikwechegh slapped the driver multiple times when the driver asked for the delivery fee, and asked the driver if he knew who he was talking to. 

He said: 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.

“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.”

Twitter

“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.”

After the video went viral, Nigerians took to social media to express their opinions on the matter. Many expressed anger at the situation and tagged the authorities, asking them to investigate and ensure that the offender was punished for oppressing the driver. 

While so many people spoke against the lawmaker, a few people pointed out that some Bolt drivers are rude and that he could have easily taken the package to him in his house instead of asking him to come and get it himself. 

Some Nigerians have claimed that Ikwechegh is not fit to be a leader, as this incident has exposed him as an oppressor with no regard for the rule of law. 

Nigerians react to Abia lawmaker Ikwechegh’s threats

Many Nigerians bashed and insulted Ikwechegh for his actions in the video and added that politicians like him at the helm of affairs who are power drunk are not fit to make decisions for Nigerians. A few people seemed to support the lawmaker by defending him and claiming Bolt drivers are usually rude. Many Nigerians, however, proceeded to rain insults on those who defended him and his actions. 

Here are some of the reactions that trailed the viral video. 

@iamlordbernie posted: “Omo, power really intoxicates the mind.”

@StarBede posted: “Imagine thinking this country will get better with such fools at the house! Crazy.”

@douggydollar posted: “You're stupid for Posting this, what did you want the internet to do when almost every bolt drivers are rude so rude and stupid, you don't want to hear their stories, that man shouldn't pay him, how rude.”

@a_light_piece posted: “This man is power drunk. "Do you know who I am?"💔 Imagine saying he could make him disappear and nothing will happen. The audacity!”

@Jesusbabygirl16 posted: “Honestly speaking witout sentiments,d bolt driver is not professional. He shld knw dat there are places u wld be dat requires ur maximum respect. He was sent on an errand but couldn't deliver appropriately. d senator shld have jst sent him back witout slapping. They're Both wrong.”

@HeDontMakeNoise posted: “"I will make you dissappear and nothing will happen" ke??? 

This is enough to ruin his political career permanently but... You can already see ret@rded Nigerians, who are so in love with their chains, trying to justify these shameful actions.”

@vian337 posted: “God is indeed merciful. People like this have no place in the corridors of power. “ I will make you disappear and nothing will happen’ that’s the tune is a killer.”

@MayJaYBaE posted: “He said he’d make him disappear in Nigeria and nothing will happen on top say make he come collect item. He felt he disrespected him. A simple please bring in inside the house, just normal courtesy. He felt an ordinary Bolt driver should lick his ass. Stupid classism.”

@Seankleann posted: “Even if he sues for assault, as a member of House of Representatives, I dont think the @PoliceNG will do justice to this case I strongly doubt the outcome favoring that Uber Driver,do you know why? Bcos he’s a NOBODY. Just watch how the matter would be swept under the carpet.”

@Kellybonito_ posted: “This can only happen in Nigeria. Tomorrow, he’ll run for another position, and I trust my fellow Nigerians will vote for him. We’ve seen it before: the woman who embezzled the palliatives meant to be shared with the public during the pandemic won the election she contested just last year, and the man who harassed the salesclerk at the sex toy shop also won his position. So, it’s no surprise if this one wins as well. In fact, this is the best CV they could have to secure a victory.”

@ChidiOdinkalu posted: “"Can you imagine this rat? I can make this man to disappear in this #Nigeria & nothing will happen." This person who can make people to disappear is the member of @HouseNGR for Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta/Oru West Federal Constituency!”

@MrTxri posted: “Now imagine what this low life anima staffs would be going through in his hands if he can do all this to a bolt driver they don’t know each other.”

@IHIMA_PRINCIPAL posted: ”Dear @PoliceNG @Princemoye1 This is a member house of Rep saying he’ll make a poor bolt driver doing his job disappear from the Surface of Nigeria and nothing will happen, he went further by trashing the IGP. The poor Bolt driver need justice because no one deserves this kind of inhumane treatment.”

@novieverest posted: “"The bolt driver insulted a whole House of Rep Member Honourable Alex Ikwechegh and so he deserves slaps and beatings. The Rep member was merciful enough not to make the bolt guy disappear in the whole of Nigeria." These are the touts our democracy has produced. When he said disappear, I hope you know what he meant. He could have gone from delivering a snail to becoming a dead man.”

@realemmans posted: “We know that some Bolt drivers can be rude at times, but in this case, there’s clear evidence of oppression against a Bolt driver. As a human rights activist, you shouldn’t be making such statements. Honestly, it makes you look f00lish. Focus on this particular case and refrain from generalising about Bolt drivers.”

Former lawmaker Lawan completes prison sentence for bribery, thanks God for new beginning

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Farouk Lawan, a former House of Representatives member, was released from Kuje Custodial Centre after completing his jail sentence.

Samson Duza, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in the Federal Capital Territory, confirmed this development on Tuesday, October 22.