We’re now friends – Abia Rep member claims friendship with bolt driver he assaulted

A member of the House of Representatives, Alex Ikwechegh, who went viral last year after a video of him assaulting a bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, has said he and his victim have now become friends.  

Ikwechegh who represents Aba North and South Federal Constituency (APGA) in the lower chambers was greatly criticized 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 a 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 on 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 that many Nigerians didn’t know that he reacted that way 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 Stephen 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