By Ishaya Ibrahim
Activist, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan and human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, have reacted to the apology rendered by an Abuja Bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya to his alleged oppressor, Alex Ikwechegh, the lawmaker representing Aba North and South.
Ikwechegh was seen in a viral video penultimate week assaulting Abuwatseya and calling him rat and monkey following disagreements over method of delivery made to the home of the lawmaker.
Recall that the outrage over the incident caused the police to arraign the lawmaker in a Magistrate Court. The House of Representatives also initiated a probe to discipline the lawmaker even after he publicly apologized.
While all the processes were ongoing, Abuwatseya pulled a shocker. He blamed himself for the action of the lawmaker, tendered an unreserved apology to the lawmaker, thereby throwing all his supporters, particularly VeryDarkMan and Adeyanju who were fighting Ikwechegh on his behalf under the bus.
In a viral video of apology released on Thursday, Abuwatseya said his provocative utterances caused the misunderstanding with Ikwechegh.
He went on to ask for forgiveness and urged Nigerians to move on from the incident.
Abuwatseya said: “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 apologize 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.”
In a swift reaction, Adeyanju announced that he would no longer be representing Abuwatseya again, a case he has been handling free of charge.
Also, VeryDarkMan expressed shock that Abuwatseya would apologize to his oppressor despite all that he endured in the hand of Ikwechegh who threatened to lock him up in his generator room and make him disappear.
The activist said he was the one that negotiated monetary compensation and a car for Abuwatseya when Ikwechegh’s handlers called him to put out the fire.
He said they started the negotiation with N20 million with a Corolla car until it was agreed at N5 million and the car.
According to VeryDarkMan, while he and Adeyanju were aware that Abuwatseya received N5 million from Ikwechegh as compensation for the assault he suffered, they were not carried along about the car compensation They only learned that Abuwatseya and his brother have been secretly visiting Ikwechegh.
