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 Bloody Meeting
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.
London Trip and New Crisis
Barely days after the violent encounter, the injured lawmaker was discharged from the hospital to join his colleagues on a state-sponsored trip to London, allegedly costing taxpayers nearly ₦1 billion. The lawmakers reportedly flew first class and lodged at Premier Inn London Town Centre Hotel, Croydon.
However, the London retreat soon degenerated into another dispute. Sources said a fresh confrontation erupted among members after accusations surfaced that the Speaker, Deputy Speaker Augustine Meregini, and Majority Leader Uchenna Kalu had withheld part of the travel allowances.
Some lawmakers claimed they received only 40% of the funds allocated for the trip. Hotel staff reportedly intervened to prevent the situation from spiraling into another physical fight.
Impeachment Plot Looms
With growing anger among members, reports indicate that a faction of the LP caucus is plotting to impeach the Speaker and other principal officers upon their return to Nigeria over alleged misappropriation and misconduct.
“The plan is already in motion. Many members are not happy with how funds were handled both in Aba and in London,” a lawmaker said.
Why on earth should governor give cash as appreciation to the Law makers for doing their legitimate responsibilities which they are being paid with allowances.
That means that supplementary budget passed, to which the governor gave cash appreciation wasn’t for governance, it was for some private purposes which the law makers will not be able to hold the governor accountable for any more since they have received their rewards.
What’s the purpose of the London trip. What are the economic gains to abians.
This is the evidence of subsidy removal; more money to share, while the masses suffer.