Stephen Abuwatseya, the Bolt driver involved in an altercation with Abia State lawmaker Rt. Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, has publicly apologized, acknowledging that his “provocative comments” contributed to the misunderstanding.
In a video released on Thursday, Abuwatseya expressed regret for his role in the incident and urged Nigerians to move forward.
He said, “Good day, Nigerians. My name is Stephen Abuwatseya, and I had a misunderstanding with Rt. Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh a few days ago. I want to sincerely apologize to him for anything I may have said or done that provoked him to that level of anger.”
Abuwatseya also called for unity and forgiveness, referencing the teachings of the Lord’s Prayer: “Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive and forget, as it’s written in our Lord’s Prayer, ‘Lord, please forgive us, as we forgive those who trespass against us.’ There is no justice without forgiveness.”
The incident took place on October 28 when Ikwechegh allegedly assaulted Abuwatseya while the driver was delivering a package to his residence in Abuja. A video of the altercation showed the lawmaker slapping and verbally abusing Abuwatseya, even threatening to have him “disappear from Nigeria.”
Following the incident, Ikwechegh was arraigned in a Magistrate Court in Kuje, Abuja, where he pleaded not guilty to charges of assault.
