Abia Majority Leader Allegedly Smashes Beer Bottle on Colleague’s Head During Altercation Over Gov Otti’s Cash Gift

Tension has gripped the Abia State House of Assembly following reports that the Majority Leader, Hon. Okoro Uchenna Kalu, allegedly attacked his colleague, Hon. Akachukwu Ucheonye, with a beer bottle during a heated argument over the sharing of money purportedly given to Labour Party lawmakers by Governor Alex Otti.

According to multiple sources, the incident occurred during a meeting of the Labour Party caucus at the Aba residence of Hon. Fyne Ahuama, who represents Osisioma Ngwa South Constituency. The confrontation reportedly broke out after disagreements emerged over how to divide the funds allegedly sent by the governor as an appreciation token for the swift passage of the N150 billion supplementary appropriation bill earlier in the year.

Witnesses claimed that Hon. Ucheonye, who chairs the House Committee on Appropriation, Budget and Planning, demanded a larger share of the money, arguing that his committee played a key role in processing the budget. His position reportedly angered the Majority Leader, leading to a shouting match that escalated into violence.

Sources at the meeting said Kalu smashed a beer bottle on Ucheonye’s head, leaving him with a deep wound. The injured lawmaker was rushed to a nearby private clinic for treatment. Images and a video later sent by Ucheonye to Governor Otti reportedly showed him receiving medical attention, accompanied by a message describing the attack as retaliation for “trying to voice my opinion on issues bordering on the committee I chair.”

It was also gathered that the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, was present during the altercation. He allegedly instructed members not to report the matter to the police or disclose details to the public to prevent embarrassment to the party and the assembly.

Shortly after receiving medical care, Ucheonye was said to have joined his colleagues on a state-sponsored trip to London. The trip, reportedly costing nearly ₦1 billion, included business-class flights and accommodation at the Premier Inn London Town Centre Hotel in Croydon.

However, sources said another dispute erupted among the lawmakers during the London visit. Several members accused the Speaker, his deputy Augustine Meregini, and the Majority Leader of withholding a large portion of the funds meant for the trip. Only about 40 percent of the money was allegedly shared among the lawmakers, prompting another confrontation that drew the attention of hotel security.

Some aggrieved members of the Labour Party caucus are said to be considering moves to impeach the Speaker and other principal officers upon their return to Nigeria. Calls to the lawmakers involved for comment were not immediately returned at the time of filing this report.