The House of Representatives has officially condemned an incident involving one of its members, Rep. Alex Ikwechegh of Abia State, who was caught on video allegedly assaulting a ride-hailing driver, Stephen Abuwatseya. The footage, which quickly went viral, shows Ikwechegh engaging in a physical confrontation and using threatening language towards the driver, sparking widespread outrage among Nigerians.

In response, House spokesperson Akin Rotimi Jr. released an official statement on behalf of the National Assembly late Monday, emphasizing that the 10th Assembly is deeply concerned about the allegations. “These reports, which have garnered widespread media coverage and public attention, detail accusations of a physical confrontation with an e-hailing driver, Citizen Stephen Abuwatseya, and the use of threatening language,” Rotimi noted.

He further stated, “The 10th Assembly, House of Representatives, takes these allegations very seriously. As elected officials, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethical conduct and accountability in our official engagements and privately.” The House affirmed its commitment to addressing the matter with the utmost seriousness, reflecting its stance on ethical behavior and transparency among public officials.

The statement also revealed that the case is currently under police investigation. Authorities confirmed that Ikwechegh is in custody at the Maitama Police Station in Abuja, where he is being questioned regarding the incident. Rotimi urged the public to allow the investigative process to unfold, while also inviting public engagement on the matter via designated email channels.

“We remain dedicated to upholding the values of accountability, transparency, and ethical behavior that define the 10th Assembly,” Rotimi concluded, promising further updates as more information becomes available.

The incident highlights the House’s ongoing commitment to accountability within its ranks, as citizens continue to demand responsible behavior from their representatives.