NIGERIAN politician Alex Ikwechegh has ignited widespread outrage after a video surfaced showing him slapping and verbally abusing a taxi driver who was delivering food to his home. In the shocking footage, Ikwechegh, a member of the opposition All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) party representing Aba in the House of Representatives, can be heard threatening the driver, declaring, ‘Do you know who I am? I can make you disappear in this whole country, and nothing will happen.’
The incident that sparked outrage
The altercation reportedly began when the driver asked Ikwechegh to come outside to collect his order rather than taking it inside. The incident quickly went viral, prompting a wave of indignation across Nigeria. Facing mounting pressure, Ikwechegh issued a formal apology, a stark contrast to his initial arrogant demeanour in the video.
This incident highlights a troubling trend among Nigerian officials, who often intimidate ordinary citizens with the familiar refrain, ‘Do you know who I am?’ This phrase exemplifies the sense of entitlement many ‘big men’ in Nigeria feel, reinforcing the notion of their untouchable status. Politicians are often seen travelling in large convoys, complete with police escorts and sirens, further asserting their authority and intimidating the public.
A disappointment for a new generation
At 42, Ikwechegh is part of a younger generation of politicians expected to bring change and innovation to Nigerian politics. The ‘Not Too Young to Run’ campaign, launched by civil society groups, aimed to empower younger citizens to engage in politics. This initiative successfully reduced age limits for various political offices in 2018, resulting in a surge of young candidates from 6 percent to 27 percent within a year. The age for running for the House of Representatives was lowered from 30 to 25, with similar reductions for other offices.
Despite these reforms, Ikwechegh’s behaviour suggests a continuation of the same old power dynamics that young Nigerians had hoped to overcome. His actions mirror those of former senator Elisha Abbo, who in 2022 was filmed slapping a shop assistant, further illustrating the entrenched culture of abuse among politicians. Although Abbo apologised, the incident underscored the pervasive issue of power misuse in Nigerian society.
The cycle of power abuse
The response to Ikwechegh’s actions has led many Nigerians to question whether younger leaders are merely perpetuating the same oppressive patterns as their predecessors. This sentiment is reminiscent of a common narrative from boarding school, where senior students often bullied juniors, perpetuating a cycle of abuse and entitlement. When juniors eventually became seniors, they anticipated wielding power over their peers, only to find that new rules had been implemented to curb such behaviour.
Ikwechegh’s actions, captured on camera for all to see, raise concerns about whether younger politicians genuinely desire change or are simply waiting for their chance to inherit the privileges of power without accountability. The House of Representatives has since referred Ikwechegh to its Ethics and Privileges Committee for bringing the institution into disrepute. He faces court charges related to ‘threats, assaults, and abuse of public office.’
This incident serves as a stark reminder that issues of entitlement and impunity are deeply embedded in Nigerian culture, suggesting that mere generational change may not be sufficient to address systemic problems. The expectation that a younger political class would represent a break from oppressive practices is increasingly called into question, as the actions of figures like Ikwechegh reveal a troubling continuity in the abuse of power.
