The fine face of an ugly parliamentarian

By Rekpene Bassey

Alex Ikwechegh stands as an emblem of the discord between appearance and substance, the fine face of an ugly parliamentarian in conduct. As a member of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), representing Aba North and South federal constituency of Abia State in the National Assembly, Ikwechegh has recently garnered attention not for legislative prowess but for his deplorable actions against Stephen Abuwatseya, a humble cab driver, on a fateful Sunday, October 27, 2024.

The incident unfolded when the driver arrived at the Maitama residence of Ikwechegh in Abuja, tasked with delivering a parcel of processed snails or perhaps something more sinister. The encounter, however, escalated swiftly from routine to reprehensible. When the driver requested Ikwechegh collect the parcel, the parliamentarian’s response was not just threatening but physically violent.

The cab driver, demonstrating commendable composure and bravery, recorded the altercation. The footage revealed Ikwechegh’s attempts to destroy the driver’s phone, a desperate act of someone unhinged by rage. Eventually, the chaos led to the politician being escorted to a nearby divisional police office. The politician was also later taken in by the police in a scene unbecoming of a supposed people’s representative.

Upon reviewing the video, several interpretations of Ikwechegh’s behaviour arise. Perhaps he was venting frustration unrelated to the driver, displacing his anger from another source. Alternatively, his actions might reflect an innate brashness, a manifestation of his true, unfiltered nature. A more troubling hypothesis is the influence of psychoactive substances, a speculation supported by his erratic and aggressive conduct.

This latter theory gains credence when considered alongside recent accusations by Senator Kawu Sumaila of Kano South, who publicly alleged the involvement of certain National Assembly members in illicit drug use. If true, such allegations paint a dire picture of a legislative body plagued by the vices it ought to combat. The peculiar behaviour of Ikwechegh fits disturbingly well within this narrative, suggesting a need for deeper scrutiny.

The echoes of this scandal bring to mind an incident earlier this year, when the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) raided the residence of Senator Oyelola Ashiru in Ilorin, Kwara State, on suspicions of drug-related activities, resulting in some arrests. These events underscore a worrying pattern that demands urgent attention and action.

Reflecting on Ikwechegh’s conduct and Senator Sumaila’s assertions, it becomes increasingly clear that measures must be implemented to prevent such individuals from wielding public power. A proposal for mandatory pre-election psychological evaluations and illicit drug tests for all candidates seeking political offices emerges as sensible and necessary. This proactive approach could cleanse the legislative chamber and other government organs of those who might hide their moral and ethical deficiencies behind a veneer of respectability.

Furthermore, the public trust in democratic institutions is predicated on the integrity and behavior of its representatives. When lawmakers indulge in actions that belie their public personas, it erodes the very foundations of democracy. The Ikwechegh episode is not an isolated aberration but symptomatic of a deeper malaise that threatens to undermine public confidence in governance.

Philosophically, this episode recalls the Platonic ideal of the philosopher-king, one who governs not with power and passion but with wisdom and virtue. Ikwechegh’s behaviour starkly opposes this ideal, reflecting instead the pitfalls of power when divorced from moral rectitude. The dissonance between his public role and private actions highlights the perennial challenge of aligning personal virtue with public responsibility.

In exploring the broader implications of this incident, it is essential to understand the societal and ethical dimensions that such misconduct illuminates. The behavior of public figures like Ikwechegh does not occur in a vacuum; it is both a product and a reflection of the socio-political environment. This raises questions about the structural factors that enable such individuals to ascend to power and the cultural attitudes towards accountability and integrity in public office.

The ancient Greeks, with their emphasis on civic virtue and the moral responsibilities of the polis, would have found the Ikwechegh incident a poignant example of hubris. This overstepping of moral bounds, often punished by the gods in Greek tragedies, is a timeless reminder that public officials must be held to higher standards lest they ruin themselves and their society.

Moreover, from a Confucian perspective, the’ rectification of names’ concept becomes relevant. In Confucian philosophy, social harmony is achieved when people live up to their assumed roles and titles. A parliamentarian, therefore, must embody the virtues of service, integrity, and respect. Ikwechegh’s failure to live up to these ideals disgraces his title and disrupts the moral order that sustains societal harmony.

Therefore, Alex Ikwechegh’s conduct serves as a cautionary tale. It reminds us that the appearance of virtue is insufficient; what is required is the substance of virtue. The true measure of a parliamentarian is not in the fine face they present to the world but in the integrity of their actions, especially when unobserved.

Finally, the case of Alex Ikwechegh must prompt a systemic overhaul, where stringent measures ensure that those who represent the people are beyond reproach in both private and public spheres. Implementing rigorous pre-election screenings could be the first step towards this ideal, fostering a legislative body that truly embodies the principles of justice, integrity, and service.

Through such reforms, the fine face of the parliamentarian may once again become a true reflection of the noble ideals they are sworn to uphold. A nation’s legislature’s legacy should be one of honour and duty, not of scandal and disgrace, ensuring that the governance it provides is worthy of the people’s trust and respect.

Rekpene Bassey is the President of the African Council on Narcotics (ACON) and a Security and Drug Prevention expert.