APGA denounces its legislator’s attack on Abuja Bolt driver

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has condemned the alleged assault of a Bolt driver by Alex Ikwechegh, the member representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Ikwechegh was captured in a viral video allegedly assaulting the driver, who had arrived at his residence to deliver a package, 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.

When the driver requested his delivery fee, the politician allegedly slapped him multiple times, questioning whether the driver knew who he was talking to.

Ikwechegh said: “Do you know who I am? I can make this man (the 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.”

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 reads 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 out to him in line with the Constitution of APGA.”

According to Opara, members of the APGA and elected officials are expected to uphold the highest standards of decorum, civility, and integrity in all public and private engagements.

The statement added: “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 brothers and sisters’ keeper, and it cannot be any other way.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has urged Nigerians to refrain from using the name or office of the Inspector-General of Police to intimidate others, emphasizing that such actions undermine the office’s values of impartiality.

This warning coincides with an ongoing investigation into an incident in which Ikwechegh allegedly assaulted a Bolt driver, boasting of his connections and claiming he could make the driver “disappear.”

The Force, responding to an assault on an e-hailing (Bolt) driver, Mr. Stephen Abuwatseya, made these statements in a post on Monday via its official X.com account.

The Force stated that it is aware of the incident that happened on Sunday, and the Federal Capital Territory Police Command is handling the case following the driver’s official report.

The post reads: “The Nigeria Police Force is aware of the incident between a Bolt driver, Mr. Stephen Abuwatseya, and Hon. Alexander Ikwegh, which took place on October 27, 2024, in Maitama, Abuja.

“The FCT Command is actively handling the case following Mr. Abuwatseya’s official report at the Maitama Divisional Headquarters.

“The Police Force also urges the public to refrain from using the name or office of the Inspector-General of Police to intimidate others, as such actions undermine the values of impartiality that the IGP’s office upholds.”