I’ll make you disappear – Outrage as lawmaker threatens, assaults delivery driver
Nigerians are currently outraged by the behaviour of a member of the House of Representatives, Alex Ikwechegh, who assaulted a ride-hailing (Bolt) driver who went to deliver a package to him at his Abuja residence.
In a video that’s going viral on social media, the distressed driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, documented what transpired between him and the lawmaker at the latter’s house in Maitama.
Ikwechegh, an APGA Reps member representing Aba North & South Federal Constituency, was captured throwing a fit because the driver told him to come out and get the snail he was meant to deliver to him.
Following an exchange, the visibly irate lawmaker landed several slaps on Abuwatseya’s face after accusing him of being disrespectful towards him.
Despite the provocative action, the hapless driver maintained his cool and kept asking what warranted the assault.
The footage however showed an unapologetic Ikwechegh insisting that the request for him to come out was disrespectful to his status and, at the same time, 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.
“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 Abuwatseya demanded the fee for his service, 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.
Nigerians outraged over Ikwechegh’s action
Meanwhile, the video has attracted condemnations from many Nigerians, who described Ikwechegh’s outburst as unnecessary.
Taking to the X platform, the displeased Nigerians insisted that the assault on the driver was an oppression and abuse of power and privilege.
@Nevosys, tweeted, “The Honourable expected a full delivery, not to pick up items himself. Delivery drivers should bring items to recipients, not vice versa. But the bolt driver thought he was the main guard to the boss. Most delivery companies operate that way.”
Another netizen who tweets as @Maliqifeoluwa, wrote, “Just imagine a federal HoR member speaking this way. These are the kind of people we vote into power. People who are supposed to fight for the masses are acting this way, chai.”
One X.com user, Tweeter_Headmaster, posting as @nosafk, wrote, “The funny thing is that the man told the truth. Nothing will happen. Oppressors na dem be. Imagine how many people have experienced such cruelty from the man. Na who dem catch be thief. Many others are doing worse. We only don’t know. Even many of those under this comment section are worse.”
Another X.com user, Did, posting as @ndidi_patricia, wrote, “A misguided idiot who abused the limited power he was given. What stops him from sending someone to grab the package if he’s too big to pick his own package lol …this country is in deep shit.”
A tweep, Hime Sama, who identifies as @himesama_01, posted, “Do you know who I am?” Yes, we know!” You’re one of the wicked, power-drunk individuals making life extra difficult for Nigerians who are already suffering the consequences of your greed and the bad decisions of your government. Utterly revolting.”
One X.com user, Rachael Efe, posting as @richrayefe, wrote, “Power intoxicates aswear. Such an irresponsible behaviour.”
A netizen, who tweets as @amourab, wrote, “The Nigerian dream is just ‘the ability to have money and power to oppress others and show that I pass my neighbours.’ We are generally not good people.”
Another netizen who tweets as @abalaka_sunday posted, “How about investigating and inviting him about those that have disappeared so far without a trace? There’s a tendency he may have to make some people disappear from someone or people before without anything happening. From words people use, it’s possible confirmation of their historical events.”
On X, a user, @Timi_i_, wrote, “A similar situation happened in the UK yesterday. The said MP is now under ‘voluntary investigation’ and has been administratively suspended by his party. Will the same thing happen in this scenario?”
