A video showing Alex Ikwechegh, the lawmaker representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency, allegedly assaulting an Uber driver during a delivery at his Maitama residence in Abuja, has gone viral, sparking public outrage.
The incident reportedly unfolded when the Uber driver, whose identity remains undisclosed, requested that Ikwechegh personally come outside to collect his delivery. The video captures the situation escalating as Ikwechegh expressed anger at the driver’s request, which he found offensive due to his social status.
In the footage, Ikwechegh is seen repeatedly slapping the driver, emphasizing that the request to come outside was a sign of disrespect. The lawmaker is also allegedly heard issuing threats, claiming he had the power to make the driver “disappear” without consequences.
“Do you know who I am? I can make this man disappear from the whole of Nigeria, and nothing will happen,” Ikwechegh is heard saying. “Can you imagine this rat? I am not going to give this boy one naira of my money. I won’t call my policemen to beat you up. I’ll do it 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? Look at this monkey.”
The video, shared widely across social media platforms, has ignited a firestorm of condemnation. Many users on X, formerly known as Twitter, called for accountability and demanded justice for the driver, criticizing Ikwechegh’s behaviour as unacceptable for a public official.
One user, @ndidi_patricia, commented: “He’s talking about disrespect, yet he was the one being disrespectful—assaulting the driver and hurling insults just because the driver asked him to come and collect the delivery. What can we call this type of behaviour?”
Another user, @Franksvics, expressed frustration with the current political climate: “How long before we realize we need to do something about these politicians? There’s no hope for the common man until they start using our skulls as drinking vessels before we wake up.”
@ayo_omooba also weighed in, highlighting the troubling nature of the lawmaker’s threats: “The Rep man of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Aba North and South, Alexander Mascot Ikwechegh, claimed he could make a Bolt driver disappear. This statement raises serious concerns. The Nigeria Police should conduct a thorough investigation into Ikwechegh’s potential involvement with missing persons.”
The uproar continued on Facebook, where Obinna Akor posted: “Irresponsible and indecent behaviour defines many of our politicians. They only value the lives of their children. Many common citizens have been maimed and destroyed by the very people who are supposed to lead and protect us. Until the corrupt sociopolitical system that allows people like Alex Ikwechegh to hold power is cleaned up, Nigeria will continue to be plagued by such individuals in public office.”
However, not all responses were one-sided. Nwogwugwu David, in defence of the lawmaker, commented: “I don’t know the lawmaker, but the Bolt driver doesn’t have manners. He’s in business and should respect his customer. Challenging your customer like that is bad business. If I were his boss, I’d sack him for his poor attitude and lack of respect. The customer is always the boss.”
The incident has intensified calls for greater accountability among public officials, with many questioning the unchecked power dynamics that seem to pervade the relationship between politicians and ordinary citizens. As public outrage grows, many await further developments, hoping for a thorough investigation into the matter.
