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Ejike Kanife
Guest
After trending for assaulting a Bolt driver, Nigerian lawmaker, Alex Ikwechegh will soon sponsor a national e-hailing regulatory bill at the federal House of Representatives. This was revealed by the Nigerian e-hailing drivers’ union, the Amalgamated Union of App-based Workers of Nigeria (AUATON).
According to the union, the resolve to sponsor the e-hailing bill resulted from a meeting between its officers and Alex Ikwechegh, a Member representing the Aba North and South federal constituency at the lower chamber.
The meeting is a decisive step toward creating a legislative framework to protect drivers, passengers, and ride-hailing platforms, and ensure a safe, fair and well-regulated environment within Nigeria’s rapidly growing app-based transport sector.
During the meeting, Hon. Ikwechegh reportedly tendered a formal apology for the assault on the driver who is also a member of the union. He also reaffirmed his commitment to treating e-hailing workers with respect and dignity and promised to support the drafting of the new bill.
“Hon. Ikwechegh expressed his eagerness to collaborate with AUATON in drafting a bill designed to set clear and enforceable guidelines for the e-hailing industry. This proposed legislation would aim to safeguard the rights of App-based transport workers, ensure passenger safety, and establish fair operational practices for ride-hailing companies,” a memo chronicling the meeting and signed by the union’s National Ex-officio & National Chairman, Media, Publicity and Technical Committee, Comrade Dr. Nwachukwu Chinedu Peter ( DPA, FCAI, SCI, FCMIMPA) said.
Recall that weeks ago, a video made the rounds on social media showing the lawmaker member assaulting a Bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya. In it, Hon Alex Ikwechegh could be heard calling the driver a rat and a monkey, he threatened to make the man disappear and “nothing will happen.”
“Are you even looking at me that you can beat me? Who the hell do you think that you are talking to? Do you know who I am? I am a Senator of this republic. Do you know who the f**k I am? How dare you? You are not leaving this place o. You see this place? You will suffer. I will deal with you. I am Alex Ikwechegh, a member of the House of Representatives. Call the Inspector General of Police, call him let him come,” Alex Ikwechegh could be heard yelling at the driver.
Read also: Assault on Bolt driver: Lawmaker, Alex Ikwechegh gets N500,000 bail
Still in its drafting stages, the legislation would focus on several core areas. These include:
If Hon Alex backs the proposed national e-hailing bill, it would mark a watershed for the sector in Nigeria where industry-specific legislation has been largely absent. As e-hailing grows in Nigeria, drivers and passengers face unique challenges, from fluctuating fare rates and service quality to the need for improved safety standards.
The union believes the legislation would address these gaps, laying the foundation for a well-regulated e-hailing market that prioritizes the rights and welfare of all parties involved.
Reacting to concerns that the union is taking advantage of the assault to drive its agenda rather than seek compensation for the victim, the Chairman of AUATON Lagos State chapter, Comrade Jaiyesimi Azeez pointed out that the victim has already been given N5 million and a car.
He also said that backing the e-hailing bill is a form of compensation.
“The guy has apologized and accepted to sponsor a bill. Pushing a bill will still cost him a lot of money for it to be supported. He had tried to compensate him (the victim) with N5 million and a car. Although compensation is not the issue now, the guy has felt sober. Should he go and hang himself again? I hereby suggest that we should be contented with whatever compensation the man has offered,” the comrade said.
For the union, it believes the move is part of its broader mission to bring structure, support, and sustainability to Nigeria’s app-based transport sector. As Nigeria’s e-hailing industry expands, AUATON remains dedicated to advancing the rights and protections of its members through proactive engagement with lawmakers and key stakeholders.
“Hon. Ikwechegh’s commitment to collaborate on a regulatory framework is a powerful signal that the Nigerian government is prepared to take action in support of app-based transport Workers, passengers, and platforms. As AUATON continues to advocate for legislative reform, this partnership stands as a critical milestone in the journey toward a safer, fairer, and more sustainable e-hailing landscape in Nigeria,” the union’s memo reads.
Efforts to get a confirmation from Honourable Alex Ikwechegh through his Facebook have so far gone unresponded. We will update the story if we get a response.
The post Bolt driver assaulter, Hon Alex Ikwechegh to sponsor national e-hailing bill- AUATON says first appeared on Technext.
According to the union, the resolve to sponsor the e-hailing bill resulted from a meeting between its officers and Alex Ikwechegh, a Member representing the Aba North and South federal constituency at the lower chamber.
The meeting is a decisive step toward creating a legislative framework to protect drivers, passengers, and ride-hailing platforms, and ensure a safe, fair and well-regulated environment within Nigeria’s rapidly growing app-based transport sector.
During the meeting, Hon. Ikwechegh reportedly tendered a formal apology for the assault on the driver who is also a member of the union. He also reaffirmed his commitment to treating e-hailing workers with respect and dignity and promised to support the drafting of the new bill.
“Hon. Ikwechegh expressed his eagerness to collaborate with AUATON in drafting a bill designed to set clear and enforceable guidelines for the e-hailing industry. This proposed legislation would aim to safeguard the rights of App-based transport workers, ensure passenger safety, and establish fair operational practices for ride-hailing companies,” a memo chronicling the meeting and signed by the union’s National Ex-officio & National Chairman, Media, Publicity and Technical Committee, Comrade Dr. Nwachukwu Chinedu Peter ( DPA, FCAI, SCI, FCMIMPA) said.
Recall that weeks ago, a video made the rounds on social media showing the lawmaker member assaulting a Bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya. In it, Hon Alex Ikwechegh could be heard calling the driver a rat and a monkey, he threatened to make the man disappear and “nothing will happen.”
“Are you even looking at me that you can beat me? Who the hell do you think that you are talking to? Do you know who I am? I am a Senator of this republic. Do you know who the f**k I am? How dare you? You are not leaving this place o. You see this place? You will suffer. I will deal with you. I am Alex Ikwechegh, a member of the House of Representatives. Call the Inspector General of Police, call him let him come,” Alex Ikwechegh could be heard yelling at the driver.
Read also: Assault on Bolt driver: Lawmaker, Alex Ikwechegh gets N500,000 bail
A brief look at the new e-hailing bill to be sponsored by Alex Ikwechegh
Still in its drafting stages, the legislation would focus on several core areas. These include:
- Driver Rights and Welfare: Ensuring fair compensation, access to benefits, and protections against unfair treatment.
- Passenger Safety: Setting standards for security and accountability, making the e-hailing experience safer and more reliable.
- Platform Accountability: Establishing fair and transparent practices for ride-hailing companies, ensuring they operate with integrity and respect for both drivers and riders.
If Hon Alex backs the proposed national e-hailing bill, it would mark a watershed for the sector in Nigeria where industry-specific legislation has been largely absent. As e-hailing grows in Nigeria, drivers and passengers face unique challenges, from fluctuating fare rates and service quality to the need for improved safety standards.
The union believes the legislation would address these gaps, laying the foundation for a well-regulated e-hailing market that prioritizes the rights and welfare of all parties involved.
Is AUATON capitalising on an unfortunate event?
Reacting to concerns that the union is taking advantage of the assault to drive its agenda rather than seek compensation for the victim, the Chairman of AUATON Lagos State chapter, Comrade Jaiyesimi Azeez pointed out that the victim has already been given N5 million and a car.
He also said that backing the e-hailing bill is a form of compensation.
“The guy has apologized and accepted to sponsor a bill. Pushing a bill will still cost him a lot of money for it to be supported. He had tried to compensate him (the victim) with N5 million and a car. Although compensation is not the issue now, the guy has felt sober. Should he go and hang himself again? I hereby suggest that we should be contented with whatever compensation the man has offered,” the comrade said.
For the union, it believes the move is part of its broader mission to bring structure, support, and sustainability to Nigeria’s app-based transport sector. As Nigeria’s e-hailing industry expands, AUATON remains dedicated to advancing the rights and protections of its members through proactive engagement with lawmakers and key stakeholders.
“Hon. Ikwechegh’s commitment to collaborate on a regulatory framework is a powerful signal that the Nigerian government is prepared to take action in support of app-based transport Workers, passengers, and platforms. As AUATON continues to advocate for legislative reform, this partnership stands as a critical milestone in the journey toward a safer, fairer, and more sustainable e-hailing landscape in Nigeria,” the union’s memo reads.
Efforts to get a confirmation from Honourable Alex Ikwechegh through his Facebook have so far gone unresponded. We will update the story if we get a response.
The post Bolt driver assaulter, Hon Alex Ikwechegh to sponsor national e-hailing bill- AUATON says first appeared on Technext.