CSOs condemn assault by Rep Ikwechegh on Bolt Driver

By Joy Baba-Yesufu

Over 70 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have strongly condemned the assault by Mr. Alex Ikwechegh, a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, on Mr. Stephen Abuwatseya, a Bolt driver in Abuja, on Sunday, October 27, 2024.

The CSOs further demanded that Mr. Ikwechegh faces the full consequences of his actions, both legally and within the House of Representatives.

The CSOs which consist of Global Rights,  Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Centre for Social Justice, Amnesty International Nigeria amongst others in a statement said there should be adherence to our Constitution while demanding equal treatment under the law for all citizens.

The statement also demanded that Mr. Abuwatseya receive full protection against intimidation from law enforcement and should have easy access to file a complaint against his assailant.

According to the statement “We remind the House of Representatives and all branches of government that a fundamental principle of democracy is the rule of law, where no one is above it. Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution mandates that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” Section 34 calls for the protection of the dignity of all citizens. Yet, in Nigeria, the powerful often evade accountability while the vulnerable face oppression.

“We are further troubled by the silence of elected officials regarding this matter. Despite compelling evidence of wrongdoing, Ikwechegh’s colleagues in the National Assembly have largely refrained from condemning his actions. In his apology, he referred to Mr. Abuwatseya merely as “the Bolt driver,” showing a lack of respect and accountability, while claiming to assist the police in bringing the “culprit” to justice—ironically, he is the one who committed the assault.

“The House of Representatives must suspend Ikwechegh in accordance with House Rules. Failure to do so would imply tacit approval of the oppression of citizens.

“As a coalition of organized civil society groups across Nigeria, we pledge to continue amplifying the voices of citizens and demanding accountability from the government”