Assault: Bolt Driver makes U-turn, begs Abia Lawmaker Alex Ikwechegh
An e-hailing driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, has publicly apologized to the House of Representatives member representing Aba North/South of Abia State, Alex Ikwechegh, following a heated altercation between the two. The incident, which occurred on October 28, involved an assault by the lawmaker after a misunderstanding during a package delivery in Maitama, Abuja.
In a video statement released on Thursday, Abuwatseya expressed regret for provoking Ikwechegh and asked for forgiveness from Nigerians. He said, “I had a misunderstanding with Rt. Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh a few days ago. I want to apologize to him for whatever I may have said or done to provoke him to that level of anger.”
Abuwatseya emphasized that the country should not be divided along ethnic, religious, or regional lines and called for unity. “We should actually come together, see how we can unite this nation, and move it forward,” he urged, adding that forgiveness was key to healing the divide.
He also referred to the Christian concept of forgiveness, citing the Lord’s Prayer, which calls for forgiveness of others' trespasses. “For there is no justice without forgiveness,” he noted.
The e-hailing driver thanked his family, well-wishers, and supporters for standing by him during the controversy. “I want to use this medium to thank my family members, my parents, my brothers, my uncles, and everybody that stood by me. I want to thank all of you. I love you all. Thank you. God bless Nigeria.”
The incident had garnered significant attention after Abuwatseya, who works for the ride-hailing service Bolt, recorded the altercation at Ikwechegh’s residence. The video, which went viral, showed the visibly angry lawmaker repeatedly slapping and insulting the driver after a disagreement over the delivery of a package of snails.
In response to the viral video, Ikwechegh issued a public apology, admitting that his actions were inappropriate and did not reflect the behavior expected from a public official. He also acknowledged the role of provocation in the altercation but expressed regret over the escalation. The lawmaker further revealed that he and Abuwatseya had engaged in alternative dispute resolution and reached a “mutual and respectful agreement.”
This incident has sparked a wider conversation about the conduct of public officials and the importance of civility, especially in interactions with the public.
