Stephen Abuwatseya, the Bolt driver who was allegedly assaulted by Alex Ikwechegh, a member of the house of representatives, has apologized to the lawmaker.
The incident occurred on October 27, 2024, in Maitama,
Abuja, when Ikwechegh, a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA),
slapped and insulted Abuwatseya after the driver asked him to approach the car
to receive his package.
The Abia lawmaker was summoned by the disciplinary committee
of the house of representatives.
He was also arraigned at a magistrate court in Kuje, Abuja,
where he pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge. He was granted a N500,000
bail. The case was adjourned to November 8, 2024.
But in a now-viral video, the Bolt driver apologised to the
lawmaker for provoking him to anger.
Abuwatseya also pleaded with Nigerians not to turn the
situation into a tribal war, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness and
unity.
The Bolt Driver apologizes to Hon. Alex Ikwechegh over provocation, begs Nigerians for forgiveness. pic.twitter.com/wsm9o0xzyO
— CHUKS ???? (@ChuksEricE) November 7, 2024
“My name is Stephen. The bolt driver that had a
misunderstanding with right honourable Igweche some days ago. I still actually
want to apologise to him that I am sorry for whatever I might have said or done
to have provoked him to that level of anger,” he said.
“This is actually a medium that I would like to tell all
Nigerians that this is not the time for us to start dividing ourselves based on
relationship, religion, tribe, or region or anything.
“We should actually come together and try to see how we can
unite this nation and move the nation forward. Please Nigerians let us forgive
and forget. There is no justice than forgiveness. Thank you very much.”