Abia Lawmaker, Alex Ikwechegh Apologises To Assaulted Bolt Driver, IGP

An embattled lawmaker, Alex Ikwechegh, has bowed to pressure and issued a public apology for his assault on Bolt driver Stephen Abuwatseya in Abuja, the capital city of the nation.

The member of the House of Representatives representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency (APGA) had come under attack after a video of him assaulting a cab driver surfaced on the internet.

In the viral video, Ikwechegh threatened to make the Bolt driver disappear without a trace of him.

The development has since generated a barrage of reactions on and off social media.

However, in a statement released on Tuesday, Ikwechegh expressed his remorse over the “unfortunate” event, emphasizing that it does “not represent the values and character he aimed to embody, both as a citizen and as a representative of the people.”

Ikwechegh’s apology letter reads: “I wish to address an incident that occurred on Sunday involving an unfortunate exchange with Citizen Stephen Abuwatseya, an e-hailing cab driver.

“What began as a misunderstanding escalated into actions and remarks I deeply regret, which do not reflect the values and character I strive to uphold, both as a citizen and as a representative of the people.

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“I sincerely apologize for my words and actions during this incident. I recognize the distress and frustration this has caused Citizen Abuwatseya, his family, and the public at large. As a public servant, I understand the weight of my role and how my words can impact others.

“While I am human and not infallible, I remain accountable for my actions. Citizen Abuwatseya and I have explored alternative dispute resolution methods to address this issue and have reached a respectful resolution, which I am committed to following through.

“Furthermore, I extend my heartfelt apologies to the Inspector General of Police, recognizing the unintended disparagement my remarks may have caused to his person, his office, and the entire institution. I reaffirm my respect for the Nigerian Police Force and the Inspector General’s commitment to maintaining law and order.

“Additionally, I extend my sincere apologies to the leadership and members of this House and the National Assembly as a whole for any deficit in goodwill this incident may have caused. I am aware that my actions reflect not only on myself but also on this esteemed institution and the trust that the public places in us.

“This incident has been a humbling reminder of the necessity for restraint and self-control, especially in challenging circumstances. I sincerely apologize for any pain or discomfort my actions may have caused, and I am committed to learning from this experience to grow into a better citizen and a more empathetic representative of the people.

This experience is particularly disheartening given my recent achievements in constituency engagement.”