A member of the House of Representatives, Alex Ikwechegh, jokingly said his altercation with a Bolt driver in Abuja in October 2024 boosted his popularity among Nigerians, earning him the nickname "the man that makes things disappear."
Ikwechegh, who appeared on Channels Television's Sunrise Daily program, claimed he's moved on from the incident and has even befriended the driver, Stephen Abuwatseya.
Ikwechegh represents Aba North & South Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber as a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
He reflected on the incident, saying, "What happened was unfortunate, but I used it as an opportunity to build a relationship with the young man. Today, we're friends. I was taken to court, but the case was dismissed due to lack of merit."
Ikwechegh acknowledged the viral video showing him assaulting Abuwatseya, stating, "The video only showed a low moment. I felt my home was being disrespected. People don't know what happened before that reaction."
He emphasized that the incident doesn't define him, adding, "I've been in the public eye for a long time without any scandals."
The altercation occurred when Ikwechegh ordered snails from a vendor, who hired Abuwatseya to deliver the goods. A disagreement ensued when Abuwatseya asked for payment, and Ikwechegh accused him of disrespect. The lawmaker slapped Abuwatseya three times, who remained calm during the assault.
The incident sparked outrage among Nigerians, with many demanding justice. Ikwechegh was arrested, arraigned, and later apologized to the Inspector General of Police and Abuwatseya.
The matter was settled out of court, with compensation paid to the victim. Interestingly, Abuwatseya also apologized to Ikwechegh, acknowledging his role in the incident.
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