•Alex Ikwechegh and Stephen Abuwatseya
Alex Ikwechegh, a member of the House of Representatives, who assaulted a bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, last year said he and his victim are friends now.
The lawmaker representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency (APGA) was roundly criticised for repeatedly slapping and insulting the driver who went to deliver a package to him at his Abuja residence.
In the video recorded by the victim, Ikwechegh while assaulting Abuwatseya called him rat and even threatened to make him disappear.
Given his political status, Ikwechegh claimed the driver disrespected him by asking him to step out of his house to collect the snail he was meant to deliver to him.
In the heat of the scandal, the 44-year-old politician apologised for his action, adding that he and his victim had explored “alternative dispute resolution methods” to sort out the issue.
However, three months after the incident, the lawmaker while reflecting on the matter, said he has become friends with Abuwatseya and his pastor.
Speaking on Channels TV today, Tuesday, January 28, 2024, Ikwechegh described the incident as unfortunate, saying it was “a low moment” for him.
“What happened was quite unfortunate, but I take it that it’s an avenue for me as a person to also build a relationship with the young man that came. Today we are friends. It was taken to court, but of course, the court found no merits, and it was struck out,” he said.
He went on to subtly justify his action saying, many Nigerians didn’t know what prompted his action because he felt the sanctity of his home was being desecrated.
“The video that everybody saw was a low moment. I felt the sanctity of my home was being desecrated. Of course, part of the video you people saw, is the part that people saw, people actually do not know what happened before that reaction. Like they say, actions preempt reactions, but whatever anybody must have seen is not indicative of who I am,” he said.
The lawmaker, however reiterated the claim that his victim is his friend and that both of them have moved on.
“The young man is my friend now. I’m very close to his bishop, his pastor. And I’ve met a bunch of new friends, and today, the whole Nigerian now knows me…I guess, we’ve moved on,” Ikwechegh stated.
