A violent altercation has erupted within the Abia State House of Assembly as internal conflicts over the sharing of a “cash gift” allegedly disbursed by Governor Alex Otti turned bloody. The incident, which took place at the Aba residence of Hon. Fyne Ahuama, member representing Osisioma Ngwa South Constituency, has thrown the Labour Party (LP) caucus of the state legislature into deep crisis.
According to multiple credible sources, the Majority Leader, Hon. Okoro Uchenna Kalu (representing Arochukwu State Constituency), allegedly attacked his colleague, Hon. Akachukwu Ucheonye (member representing Aba Central State Constituency), with a beer bottle, inflicting severe head injuries that led to heavy bleeding and concussion.
The shocking incident reportedly occurred during a caucus meeting convened to discuss the sharing formula for funds allegedly sent by Governor Otti to LP lawmakers in appreciation of their role in passing the 2025 Supplementary Appropriation Bill.
How the Brawl Erupted
According to witnesses, Governor Otti had earlier “appreciated” the Labour Party caucus for their swift approval of the ₦150 billion supplementary budget, following the earlier passage of the ₦750.3 billion 2025 Appropriation Bill, tagged “Budget of Sustained Momentum.”
The governor reportedly sent an undisclosed amount of money to members of the LP caucus as a gesture of goodwill. However, the meeting to share the funds quickly degenerated into chaos.
Hon. Akachukwu Ucheonye, who chairs the House Committee on Appropriation, Budget, and Planning, allegedly insisted on receiving a larger portion of the money, arguing that his committee played the most significant role in processing and defending the budget before its passage.
His position infuriated the Majority Leader, Hon. Uchenna Kalu, who reportedly accused Ucheonye of greed and insubordination. What began as a verbal exchange soon escalated into physical confrontation.
Violent Attack and Injury
Eyewitnesses told reporters that in the heat of the argument, Hon. Kalu picked up a beer bottle from the table and smashed it over Hon. Ucheonye’s head. The bottle shattered instantly, causing deep cuts and severe bleeding.
“The lawmaker representing Aba Central was hit on the head with a beer bottle by the Majority Leader. Blood was everywhere. It was a shocking scene,” a source familiar with the incident recounted.
The injured lawmaker was immediately rushed to a private clinic in Aba, where he received treatment for a deep scalp wound and mild concussion. Medical personnel confirmed that he required several stitches.
In a message reportedly sent to Governor Otti, accompanied by photos and video clips from his treatment, Hon. Ucheonye wrote:
“Good evening, Your Excellency. This is a wound I sustained from the Majority Leader for trying to voice my opinion on issues bordering on the committee I chair during our caucus meeting at the residence of Hon. Fyne Ahuama in Aba today.”
Speaker’s Alleged Cover-Up
Multiple sources confirmed that the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, was present at the meeting when the altercation occurred. Instead of reporting the violent incident to the police, the Speaker allegedly cautioned members to keep the matter confidential and ensure that “nothing leaks to the public.”
One insider disclosed:
“The Speaker witnessed everything. He warned members not to speak to journalists or report the matter to security agencies. He said it would embarrass the government and the Labour Party.”
London Trip Adds Fuel to the Fire
Barely a few days after the violent confrontation, sources revealed that Hon. Ucheonye was discharged from the clinic to join his colleagues on a state-sponsored legislative retreat in London. The trip, reportedly costing taxpayers nearly ₦1 billion, has become the latest flashpoint in the Assembly’s deepening internal crisis.
The lawmakers were said to have travelled first class and were lodged at the Premier Inn London Town Centre Hotel, Phillips House, 6 Lansdowne Road, Croydon CR0 2BX.
However, the overseas retreat soon descended into another round of chaos. Disgruntled members accused the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker Hon. Augustine Meregini, and Majority Leader Hon. Uchenna Kalu of hoarding part of the funds released for the trip.
Fresh Allegations of Misappropriation
According to accounts from some lawmakers, only about 40% of the total funds allocated for the trip were distributed to members, while the remaining 60% allegedly “disappeared.”
The matter escalated when some members confronted the leadership at the hotel lobby, leading to a heated verbal exchange that drew the attention of hotel security personnel, who were called in to restore order.
One member, speaking anonymously, said:
“They told us the money was fully released, but we only received a fraction. The Speaker, his deputy, and the Majority Leader cannot account for the rest. We had to involve the hotel security to separate them before it got physical again.”
Plans for Impeachment
Reliable sources within the caucus confirmed that plans are underway among aggrieved lawmakers to initiate impeachment proceedings against the Speaker and other principal officers upon their return to Nigeria.
The move is reportedly gaining traction among both Labour Party and opposition members, who believe that the current leadership has brought the Assembly to disrepute through corruption, misconduct, and abuse of office.
Public Reactions and Political Implications
The violent episode and subsequent financial scandal have sparked outrage among Abia residents, who expressed disappointment that lawmakers elected to promote transparency and good governance are now embroiled in greed-driven infighting.
Civil society groups and political observers have described the incident as a “national embarrassment” and called for an independent investigation into the events surrounding both the Aba meeting and the London trip.
As of press time, neither Governor Alex Otti nor the Abia State House of Assembly had issued any official statement regarding the matter.
Meanwhile, Hon. Akachukwu Ucheonye continues to receive medical attention, while sources close to him insist that he may pursue legal action if the House leadership fails to take disciplinary measures against the Majority Leader.
Summary:
The Abia State House of Assembly is facing a major internal crisis following reports that Majority Leader Hon. Uchenna Kalu assaulted Hon. Akachukwu Ucheonye with a beer bottle during a heated argument over the sharing of Governor Otti’s alleged cash gift. The scandal compounded by allegations of financial mismanagement during the lawmakers’ London retreat, has thrown the Assembly into turmoil, with impeachment plots, accusations of corruption, and calls for accountability now dominating Abia’s political scene.
More News:
