A violent altercation reportedly broke out among members of the Labour Party (LP) caucus in the Abia State House of Assembly during a heated argument over the sharing of a cash gift allegedly disbursed by Governor Alex Otti.
According to multiple sources, the Majority Leader of the House and member representing Arochukwu State Constituency, Hon. Okoro Uchenna Kalu, allegedly attacked his colleague, Hon. Akachukwu Ucheonye, who represents Aba Central State Constituency, with a beer bottle during the fracas. The attack reportedly left Ucheonye with a deep head injury and a severe concussion.
The incident was said to have occurred at the Aba residence of Hon. Fyne Ahuama, member representing Osisioma Ngwa South Constituency, where the LP lawmakers had gathered for a caucus meeting.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, was reportedly present during the meeting and allegedly warned those in attendance not to leak details of the incident or report it to the police.
A source privy to the meeting confirmed the attack, stating:
“The lawmaker representing Aba Central, Hon. Ucheonye, suffered a broken head and serious concussion after the Majority Leader, Hon. Uchenna Kalu, struck him with a beer bottle. The attack followed disagreements during the sharing of money allegedly given to the LP caucus by Governor Alex Otti for passing the 2025 supplementary budget.”
How the Fight Broke Out
Sources revealed that Governor Otti had “appreciated” the LP caucus for the swift passage of the ₦150 billion supplementary appropriation bill in August, which came in addition to the ₦750.3 billion 2025 budget tagged “Budget of Sustained Momentum.”
An undisclosed amount of money was reportedly sent to the lawmakers as a token of appreciation. However, a heated disagreement arose over how the funds should be shared. Hon. Ucheonye, who chairs the House Committee on Appropriation, Budget and Planning, allegedly demanded a larger share, citing his committee’s pivotal role in the budget process.
His insistence reportedly angered the Majority Leader, leading to a verbal exchange that quickly escalated into a physical fight. Witnesses alleged that Kalu picked up a beer bottle and smashed it on Ucheonye’s head, causing him to bleed profusely.
“While discussing the sharing formula for the money, Hon. Ucheonye insisted on taking a larger share. This infuriated the Majority Leader, who grabbed a beer bottle and broke it on his colleague’s head after a brief exchange of punches,” the source said.
Ucheonye was immediately rushed to a nearby private clinic, where he received treatment for his injuries. In a message reportedly sent to Governor Otti—accompanied by pictures and video evidence of his treatment—he wrote:
“Good evening, Your Excellency. This is the 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 today at the premises of Hon. Fyne Ahuama in Aba.”
London Trip After the Fight
Sources disclosed that Hon. Ucheonye was later discharged from the clinic to join his colleagues on a state-sponsored trip to London, which reportedly cost taxpayers nearly ₦1 billion.
“Hon. Ucheonye was discharged from the clinic to join his colleagues on a state-sponsored trip to London, United Kingdom,” one source confirmed.
The lawmakers reportedly travelled first class and lodged at the Premier Inn London Town Centre Hotel, Phillips House, 6 Lansdowne Rd, Croydon CR0 2BX.
However, the London trip allegedly turned chaotic as well. Reports indicate that another confrontation erupted among the lawmakers on Sunday morning after accusations surfaced that Speaker Emeruwa, Deputy Speaker Augustine Meregini, and Majority Leader Uchenna Kalu had withheld part of the funds meant for the trip.
According to insiders, only 40 percent of the money released for the trip was shared with members, while the remaining funds were unaccounted for. Hotel security was reportedly called in to calm the situation.
One of the lawmakers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that several aggrieved members are already mobilising to impeach the Speaker and other principal officers upon their return to Nigeria.
“Plans are underway among disgruntled members to impeach the Speaker and principal officers over allegations of misappropriation and misconduct,” the source said.
The Abia State House of Assembly has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
