Tension has gripped the Abia State House of Assembly following a violent clash between members of the Labour Party (LP) caucus during a private meeting in Aba over the sharing of funds allegedly disbursed by Governor Alex Otti.
According to multiple sources, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Okoro Uchenna Kalu, who represents Arochukwu State Constituency, attacked his colleague, Hon. Akachukwu Ucheonye of Aba Central Constituency, with a beer bottle, leaving him with a deep head wound and severe concussion.
The altercation reportedly occurred during a meeting of LP lawmakers at the residence of Hon. Fyne Ahuama, member representing Osisioma Ngwa South Constituency. The session, which was also attended by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, was said to have turned chaotic following disagreements over how to share a sum allegedly given to the caucus by Governor Otti as an “appreciation” for the swift passage of the N150 billion supplementary budget.
A source at the meeting said Ucheonye, who chairs the House Committee on Appropriation, Budget, and Planning, insisted on receiving a larger share of the money, citing his pivotal role in the budget process. His demand reportedly provoked the Majority Leader, who smashed a beer bottle on his colleague’s head after a heated exchange.
“The Speaker was there and told everyone not to report the incident to the police or leak it to the media,” one insider revealed.
Ucheonye was said to have been rushed to a nearby private clinic where he received emergency treatment for deep cuts to the head. Later that evening, he reportedly sent a message to Governor Otti, attaching photos and a video of his injuries.
“Good evening His 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 at the premises of Hon. Fyne Ahuama during our caucus meeting today at Aba,” the message read.
