‘I Provoked Him To Anger’ word-for-word of what citizen Stephen the Driver said in a viral video seeking apology from lawmaker + ‘Gbamileti ki ndolowo o – Fela 1976, Poverty na bastard,” what Richard Akinola, Sunny Igboanugo other Nigerians said on ‘slappee’s apology to Slapper’
Reactions have trailed the apology tendered to House of Representatives member representing Aba North and South of Abia State, Mascot Ikwechegh by e-hailing driver who was assaulted in Abuja during an altercation over a package delivery, Stephen Abuwatseya, with many raining curses on poverty and hunger.
Platforms Africa reports that the Bolt driver Abuwatseya apologised to Ikwechegh in a video saying that he provoked the lawmaker to anger instead of what he earlier made Nigerians to believe.
‘I can Make You Disappear,’ How Lawmaker Slapped Bolt Driver In Viral Video
‘Arrested,’ Police Nab Abia Lawmaker Ikwechegh Over Assault on Bolt Driver
Abia Rep Member Gets N500,000 bail, To Face Trial Nov. 8
In a video statement released to the press on Thursday, Abuwatseya expressed “regret” for provoking Ikwechegh and asked Nigerians for forgiveness.
He also urged everyone to move on from the incident.
Reactions
Meanwhile, Nigerians have taken to social media to express shock and disbelief about the apology, with some raining curses on Poverty and hunger.
Sunny Igboanugo, a Nigerian columnist, wrote; “Gbami leti ki n’dolowo (Slap me make I get money) Fela’s 1976! Brand new Corolla, N5m cash! And our Bolt driver apologises. VDM crying! If na you nko?”
Going down memory lane, rights activist, Richard Akinola, wrote; “BETWEEN THE “SLAPPEE” and the SLAPPER
Many years ago, when Mohammad Gambo was the IGP, one of his aides, Inspector Ameh was tortured to death in his official house “custody”. The family of the deceased policeman briefed Gani Fawehinmi, who immediately filed a N5million damages suit against the IG.
“Embarrassed by the turn of events, Gambo reached out to the wife of the deceased, gave her some money and the woman then asked Gani to withdraw the matter in court. Gani was almost weeping, pleading with the woman that whatever pittance that Gambo gave, could not be compared to what the court would award in damages. The poor woman and family members insisted they had settled with Gambo. Gani had no choice but to withdraw the matter from court.
“So, when l read that the slapped bolt driver has apologized to the Honourable member who assaulted and threatened his life, I knew the bolt man had taken the route of the wife of the policeman that Gambo killed. The poor man you are fighting for today may turn around tomorrow to fight you for fighting his oppressor. Poverty na bastard.”
Corroborating Akinola’s view, Isa Oyetunji write; “You’re absolutely right Sir , I have several cases like that before now , even the one against police extortion and before you know it , the so called oppressed poor man start begging on behalf of the oppressor asking Committee for the defence of human rights to withdraw the petition .
“In fact just 2 days ago a woman walked in to Committee for the defence of human rights office ifako 2 Unit with all her eye clogged together, she was beating beyond recognition, when I saw her photograph before the incident , We took the matter up and send an invitation letter to the husband, just the next day the wife in question came knocking and begging the CDRH that she doesn’t want our intervention anymore, I laugh and told her to put it on black and white for future purpose if anything goes wrong and she did wrote the letter duly signed. I keep wondering how some women die in silence from domestic violence with the saying of our pastor has settled it for us .
“It’s well sir , we will continue to do the little we can do.”
Citizen Stephen unedited
“Good day, Nigerians. My name is Stephen Abuwatseya. I had a misunderstanding with Rt. Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh a few days ago. I actually want to apologise to him for whatever I must have said or done to provoke him to that level of anger.
“I want to tell Nigerians that it’s not time for us to start dividing ourselves based on religion, tribes, or regions. We should actually come together, see how we can unite this nation, and move it forward.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive and forget, as it’s even contained in our Lord’s Prayer, that ‘Lord, please forgive us, as we forgive those who trespass against us.’ For there is no justice without forgiveness. Thank you very much.”
The driver also thanked his family and well-wishers for their support over the issue.
“I want to use this medium to thank my family members, my parents, my brothers, my uncles and everybody that stood by me. I want to thank all of you. I love you all. Thank you. God bless Nigeria.”
Recall that Ikwechegh was granted bail of N500,000 by the Chief Magistrate Court in Kuje, Abuja, after he was caught on camera assaulting Abuwatseya.
During the court session on Wednesday, Ikwechegh faced three counts bordering on abuse of office, assault, and threat to life.
Platforms Africa
