A serious fight reportedly broke out among members of the Labour Party in the Abia State House of Assembly during a meeting over how to share money said to have been given to them by Governor Alex Otti.
According to multiple sources, the Majority Leader, Hon. Okoro Uchenna Kalu, who represents Arochukwu Constituency, allegedly hit his colleague, Hon. Akachukwu Ucheonye of Aba Central Constituency, on the head with a beer bottle. The incident was said to have left Ucheonye with a deep cut and a serious head injury.
The violent exchange reportedly happened at the Aba residence of Hon. Fyne Ahuama, the member representing Osisioma Ngwa South Constituency. The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, was said to have been present and allegedly cautioned those in attendance not to report the matter to the police or allow details of the fight to become public.
A source close to the meeting explained that the altercation started after the lawmakers gathered to discuss funds allegedly shared by Governor Otti as appreciation for their swift passage of the 2025 supplementary budget. Ucheonye, who chairs the House Committee on Appropriation, Budget and Planning, reportedly demanded a bigger portion of the money, citing his committee’s role in the budget process.
His insistence reportedly angered the Majority Leader, leading to a heated argument that soon turned physical. Witnesses claimed Kalu picked up a beer bottle and smashed it on Ucheonye’s head. The injured lawmaker was quickly taken to a nearby private clinic, where he received medical treatment.
In a message sent to Governor Otti, which included pictures of his injuries, Ucheonye wrote, “Good evening Your Excellency, this is the wound I sustained from the Majority Leader for trying to voice my opinion during our caucus meeting at the premises of Hon. Fyne Ahuama in Aba.”
Sources further disclosed that despite his injuries, Ucheonye later joined his colleagues on a state-sponsored trip to London, reportedly costing the state almost N1 billion.
While in London, another disagreement allegedly broke out among the lawmakers after some members accused the Speaker, Deputy Speaker Augustine Meregini, and Majority Leader Kalu of withholding a portion of the travel funds. Some lawmakers claimed that only 40 percent of the approved money was shared, while the rest could not be accounted for.
The dispute reportedly escalated to the point that hotel security had to step in to calm the situation. According to an insider, some angry lawmakers are already planning to impeach the Speaker and other principal officers over allegations of mismanagement and misconduct when they return to Nigeria.