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Tag: Ikwechegh

  • Reps member Ikwechegh opens up about incident with Bolt driver

    Reps member Ikwechegh opens up about incident with Bolt driver

    Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, a member of the House of Representatives representing Aba North and South under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has addressed his involvement in a widely publicized incident with a Bolt driver in Abuja in October 2024.

    In an interview on Channels Television’s breakfast show on Tuesday, Ikwechegh shared that he and the e-hailing driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, have since reconciled and built a friendship.

    “What happened was quite unfortunate, but I see it as an opportunity to build a relationship with the young man. Today, we are friends. I was taken to court, but the court found no merit in the case, and it was struck out,” he said.

    Reflecting on the viral video, Ikwechegh described it as a challenging moment.

    Read Also: Let Ikwechegh breathe

    “The video that everybody saw was a low moment. I felt the sanctity of my home was being desecrated. The part of the video shown was just one side; people don’t know what led to that reaction. As they say, actions pre-empt reactions.

    “But whatever anyone saw does not define who I am. I’ve been in the public space for a long time without any scandals. Now, the young man is my friend, I’m close to his Bishop and pastor, and I’ve made new friends. Today, the whole of Nigeria knows me as ‘the man that makes things disappear.’ We’ve moved on; it’s in the past now,” Ikwechegh concluded.

    The Nation reported that a Kuje Magistrate has granted a bail of of N500,000 to the embattled House of Representatives following charges that bordered on abuse of office, assault, and threat to life.

  • Ikwechegh: Face of unequal society

    Ikwechegh: Face of unequal society

    SIR: An intrepid driver contracted to Bolt, the e-hailing app, was recently reminded of his status by a succession of lightning slaps delivered by the diamond-encrusted fingers of Alex Ikwechegh, member representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

    The driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, had run foul of the legislator when he delivered an order to his residence in Maitama, but refused to go inside to drop it.

    In the incident captured in a video which has since gone viral, the visibly angry legislator after raining curses and threats on the driver, physically assaulted him.

    In a country pounded by hunger and every other form of social insecurity imaginable, one would think that someone who lives in what is probably the most exclusive area of Nigeria’s capital, while enjoying the financial freedom that his salary as an overpaid but undercooked and underworked Nigerian legislator confers would have enough dignity  to ignore a harried bus driver’s moment of alleged insolence.

    What is more likely is that the driver was simply complying with the conditions of his employment which forbade him from going into the premises of the legislator as a customer, to make a delivery.

    What is obvious is that the alleged provocation was not commensurate with the inhuman and inhumane treatment meted out to Abuwatseya by the legislator, and what if it was?

    Does one’s oath as a legislator not demand good conduct always? Shouldn’t the mere fact that one sits in Nigeria’s premier law-making institution confer enough dignity and discipline to abide the law even in the face of provocation?

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    In a country where blinding poverty and blistering inequality have widened the gulf between the rich and the poor, it is no surprise that many have lost their humanity.

    Nigeria’s steeply unequal society has harmfully configured the society in such a way that many Nigerians run the risk of daily abuse by others who employ them. There is a need for reorientation but also heavy sanctions to remind all those who abuse others here that Nigerians are all equal under the law and no one can be mistreated save in accordance with law.

    Without this education which must be drummed into the rich and the poor with equal ferocity, the dream of realizing a society where people live with dignity will remain a pipe dream.

    The Igbo say that when the gods want to kill a man, they first make him mad. Hon. Ikwechegh is Igbo. The viral video showed a man maddened by power and privilege. What dishonor.

    It is time for hard, impersonal lessons, the kind only the law can teach.

    • Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com
  • Reps to investigate Rep, Ikwechegh over alleged assault on Bolt driver

    Reps to investigate Rep, Ikwechegh over alleged assault on Bolt driver

    The House of Representatives, has referred the case of alleged assault of a commercial driver, Mr Stephen Abuwatseya by Rep. Alexander Ikwechegh (APGA-Abia) to the Ethics and Privileges Committee for further investigation.

    This is sequel to the adoption of a motion by the Majority Leader of the house, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere at plenary on Tuesday.

    A video recoding which went viral on Sunday night, allegedly showed the lawmaker assaulting the cab driver and using derogatory words on him following a disagreement between them.

    Ihonvbere described the development as demeaning the parliament as an institution, saying that as majority leader, he received  numerous calls from Nigerians from all walks of life after the video was released.

    In his remarks, the Chairman of the Committee on Defence, Rep. Babajimi Benson (APC-Lagos state) cautioned members against act that portayed them as untouchables.

    He urged his colleagues to rather act the other way round as elected representatives of the people.

    Meanwhile, Ikwechegh tendered his unreserved apology to the House and the victim for his actions in the said video.

    The Rep member said he regretted his actions.

    “What began as a misunderstanding escalated into actions and remarks I deeply regret, which do not reflect the values and character I strive to uphold, both as a citizen and as a representative of the people.

    “I sincerely apologise for my words and actions during this incident. I recognise the distress and frustration this has caused  Abuwatseya, his family, and the public at large.

    Read Also: Police arrest Rep member Ikwechegh over assault on Bolt driver

    “As a public servant, I understand the weight of my role and how my words can impact others.

    “While I am human and not infallible, I remain accountable for my actions.

    “Abuwatseya and I have explored alternative dispute resolution methods to address this issue and have reached a respectful resolution, which I am committed to following through,” he said.

    In his ruling, the Deputy Speaker said that Ikwechegh would not be hurriedly suspended as demanded by many without following due process.

    He said that the case would be forwarded to the ethics committee, saddled with the responsibility of handling disciplinary matters.

    (NAN)