Tensions erupted within the Abia State House of Assembly after an alleged violent altercation between two members of the Labour Party (LP) over the sharing of a monetary gift purportedly sent by Governor Alex Otti.
According to reports by Sahara Reporters, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Hon. Okoro Uchenna Kalu, who represents the Arochukwu State Constituency, allegedly struck his colleague, Hon. Akachukwu Ucheonye of the Aba Central State Constituency, with a bottle during a heated argument. The incident reportedly occurred during a caucus meeting of LP lawmakers held at the Aba residence of Hon. Fyne Ahuama, member representing Osisioma Ngwa South Constituency.
Eyewitnesses claim the confrontation left Ucheonye with a deep head wound and severe concussion.
Sources disclosed that the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, was present at the meeting and allegedly instructed members not to discuss the matter publicly or report it to law enforcement.
“Hon. Ucheonye suffered serious injuries after being attacked with a beer bottle by the Majority Leader during an argument over the sharing of money allegedly given by Governor Otti,” a source told Sahara Reporters.
The money in question was said to have been a “token of appreciation” from Governor Otti to the LP caucus for the swift passage of a ₦150 billion supplementary appropriation bill, in addition to the ₦750.3 billion 2025 budget titled ‘Budget of Sustained Momentum’.
However, disagreement reportedly broke out over how the funds should be distributed. Hon. Ucheonye, who chairs the House Committee on Appropriation, Budget, and Planning, allegedly demanded a larger portion, citing his committee’s pivotal role in processing the budget. His demand reportedly angered Kalu, leading to a heated verbal exchange that quickly turned physical.
Witnesses claimed Kalu grabbed a beer bottle and smashed it on Ucheonye’s head, causing profuse bleeding. Ucheonye was immediately rushed to a nearby private clinic, where he received medical attention.
In a message purportedly sent to Governor Otti after the incident, Ucheonye wrote:
“Good evening, Your Excellency. This is the wound I sustained from the Majority Leader for expressing my opinion on issues concerning the committee I chair, during our caucus meeting at Hon. Fyne Ahuama’s residence in Aba.”
Despite his injuries, sources said Ucheonye was later discharged to join other lawmakers on a state-sponsored trip to London, reportedly costing taxpayers nearly ₦1 billion.
“Hon. Ucheonye was discharged from the clinic to join his colleagues on the trip to the United Kingdom,” one insider confirmed.
This altercation comes nearly a year after a similar chaotic episode in the Cross River State House of Assembly, where lawmakers clashed violently following the impeachment of Speaker Elvert Ayambem. That dispute was linked to allegations of financial misappropriation amounting to ₦404 million, leading to physical confrontations before police intervened to restore order.
The Abia incident has sparked public outrage, raising fresh concerns about transparency, internal discipline, and the integrity of lawmakers within the Abia State House of Assembly.
