Abia Assembly Denies Beer Bottle Fight Allegation

The Abia State House of Assembly has denied reports of a beer bottle fight among some lawmakers.

This report claimed that the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Uchenna Okoro, attacked his colleague, Hon. Akachukwu Ucheonye, with a beer bottle during a fight over a supposed cash gift from Governor Dr. Alex Otti.

The assembly said the report is entirely false, adding it’s an attempt to damage the reputation of the Abia State House of Assembly, undermine the Governor’s integrity, and create conflict among members.

The Deputy Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly and House Committee Chairman on Media and Publicity, Rt Hon Augustine Okezie Meregini stated this on Wednesday.

The statement said, “To be clear, no such incident ever took place. There was never any disagreement, let alone a physical fight, between Hon. Uchenna Okoro, the Majority Leader representing Arochukwu State Constituency, and Hon. Akachukwu Ucheonye, who represents Aba Central State Constituency.

“Both lawmakers share a respectful and professional relationship, working together to improve legislative development and the overall progress of Abia State.”

Rt Hon Okezie Meregini went further to add that, “Hon. Ucheonye has publicly denied the rumour, confirming that he was never attacked or hurt by Hon. Okoro and that no altercation occurred.

“The wound, which Hon. Ucheonye sustained, was a car door accident, and that was a long time ago. The claim that Governor Dr. Alex Otti distributed cash to Labour Party lawmakers for passing a supplementary budget in August is also false and malicious.

“This lie aims to damage the Governor’s image and the integrity of the 8th Abia State House of Assembly.

“If such practices happened in the past or elsewhere, they do not feature in the new Abia, a government based on transparency, accountability, and responsible use of public funds. Governor Otti has never attempted to financially induce the House of Assembly to pass a budget, and the Assembly does not receive any for performing its constitutional duties.”

The deputy speaker also hinted that the legislative process in Abia State is conducted with strict adherence to due process and public interest.

He also said it is on record that the governor has never brought before the House any undue request that would have required any kind of inducement.

The false report also claimed that the governor gave the House about one billion naira (N1bn) for a capacity-building trip to London, and that Members had quarrelled over the money.

“This again is completely false, and only leaves one wondering what the peddlers of this falsehoods feed on. The Abia House of Assembly had a very peaceful and purposeful stay in London, and the outcome was quite enriching,” the deputy speaker said.

“Those involved in the recent persistent attack on the present administration should know that their mission is already dead on arrival, as propaganda will lead them nowhere.

“It is evident that they aim to cause division and undermine the strong working relationship between the Abia State House of Assembly and Governor Alex Chioma Otti’s administration, but they will keep failing while this new Abia will keep moving forward”, he added.

“They expressed that the 8th Abia State House of Assembly, led by Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa remains united, focused, and committed to fulfilling its legislative responsibilities with integrity and dedication to the people of Abia State.

The statement urged the public to disregard the lies and fabrications spread by those looking to create unnecessary tension and weaken the peaceful governance Abia is experiencing.

“Abia State keeps moving on the path of accountability and progress, and no amount of slander or fake news can change that”, Rt Hon Augustine Okezie Meregini concluded.