From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
House of Representatives, yesterday, referred the member representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency of Abia, Alex Ikwechegh, to its Committee on Ethics and Privilege for allegedly assaulting a Bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya.
The deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu, said contrary to the expectations of Nigerians, the House will not suspend Ikwechegh without recourse to its rules. This followed the adoption of a matter of privilege by the leader of the House, Julius Ihonvbere, informing the House of the incident involving Ikwechegh and the Bolt driver, last week, in Abuja.
Ikwechegh, in a video clip that has gone viral, was seen assaulting the Uber driver physically and verbally, as well as threatening the latter that, “I can make you disappear in Nigeria and nothing will happen,” for allegedly disrespecting him. He also dared the Bolt driver to call the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
However, Ihonvbere, who spoke under matters of privilege, said Ikwechegh’s conduct was an assault on the collective integrity of members of the House, as well as the conscience of the average Nigerian. Consequently, he prayed the House to refer the matter to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
He said: “What has been in the news, we all probably know about it that our member, Ikwechegh, had an altercation with a cab driver. It is not my job to begin to analyse the video that we have all seen or to analyse the commentary.
“But I have a responsibility to say this House will not sit and accommodate any aberration. In fact, if you look at Order 5(e), it sets out clearly how the House should deal with any sort of aberration or misconduct by a member of the House.
“I am on my feet today to plead with my colleagues and Mr. Speaker, that this matter is serious enough and it impinges on our collective integrity. It attacks the conscience of the average Nigerian. It derogates on the image and the expectation of the public of what we stand for as a House. We have to demonstrate to the public that voted for us that we recognise them. We are pained. We are offended. We are not happy about it.”
Nevertheless, as soon as the House leader was done, Ikwechegh, speaking under personal explanation, read a very lengthy and prepared speech, in which he begged for the forgiveness of Nigerians for his indiscretions. He noted that while he regretted his words and actions, he had reached a resolution with Abuwatseya.
Kalu, who presided over yesterday’s plenary, described the lawmaker’s speech as touching and noted that the House will not act in line with the expectations of Nigerians.
The deputy speaker said: “The personal explanation of Ikwechegh was very touching. The public is expecting us to act in a particular way. But the truth be told that we can only act according to our rules. We cannot act according to what everybody wants us to do. Our rules dictate that if, at any time, we feel the integrity, the dignity of the parliament has been threatened, we investigate through our internal structure, in the eyes of the principle of natural justice, which is fair hearing. That is what we put in our rules. It is not good for us to judge ahead of time and take a rash decision.
“Therefore, in line with the prayers of the leader of the House, this matter should be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privilege for him to be heard. His appeal was very emotional, very touching; it shows remorse. I was touched hearing it from here. And that is not enough. I know you were touched as well. I know Nigerians watching him has seen a man that is remorseful.
“But our rules must be complied with. And that our rule is for him to go and sit with the committee on Ethics and Privilege. They will hear him and then report back to the House for us to take a decision; instead of going into suspension like everybody expects from us.”
