Alex Ikwechegh: Nigeria's slapping video highlights abuse of power

Will the new generation of Nigerian politicians deliver the change in attitudes that many had hoped for?

British Broadcasting CorporationWatchHomeNewsUS ElectionSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifyUS ElectionFull resultsKamala HarrisDonald TrumpJD VanceTim WalzSportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessWomen at the HelmFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsUS ElectionSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthVideoLiveAudioWeatherNewslettersSlapping MP shows generational change may not end abuse of power in Nigeria Alex IkwecheghAlex IkwecheghNigerian politician Alex Ikwechegh has caused outrage after he was caught on video slapping and verbally abusing a taxi driver delivering food to his house.

"Do you know who I am?... I can make you disappear in this whole country, and nothing will happen," Ikwechegh was heard saying in the video that went viral.

The altercation apparently started after the driver asked Ikwechegh to go outside to collect the food, rather than him taking it inside.

Shocked Nigerians shared the clip widely, forcing Ikwechegh, a member of the opposition All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) party who represents the south-eastern town of Aba in the House of Representatives, to issue a formal apology - a stark contrast to his arrogant and intimidating tone in the video.

Unfortunately, it is common in Nigeria for officials and other "big men" to use their power to intimidate ordinary citizens with the familiar phrase: "Do you know who I am?" - a reminder of the untouchable status they believe they hold.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyx3dn488jo

---