By Godwin Akomah, Umuahia
An Abia State House of Assembly lawmaker, Hon. Akachukwu Ucheonye, has said that the Majority Leader of the house, Hon. Okoro Uchenna Kalu, neither attacked him nor smashed beer bottle on his head over alleged cash gift from Governor Alex Otti.
Ucheonye, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, said there was no such incident and dismissed as false and malicious, reports that he was assaulted and struck with beer bottle by his colleague.
The lawmaker representing Aba Central State constituency in the 8th State Assembly made the clarification on Tuesday in a statement to newsmen.
He claimed that desperate mischief-makers bent on tarnishing the hard-earned image of the Abia State House of Assembly and sowing seeds of discord among its members were behind the malicious falsehood.
He said, “My attention has been drawn to a mischievous and malicious report circulating on social media with the sensational headline: “Abia Assembly Majority Leader Smashes Beer Bottle on Colleague’s Head During Fight Over Governor Otti’s Cash Gift.”
In the said report, I, Hon. Ucheonye, Member representing Aba Central State constituency was falsely alleged to have been attacked by my brother and colleague, Hon. Okoro Uchenna Kalu, the Majority Leader of the Abia State House of Assembly, who purportedly struck my head with a beer bottle—an allegation that is not only ridiculous but completely unfounded.
I wish to categorically state that the said publication is false, malicious, and a product of desperate mischief-makers who are bent on tarnishing the hard-earned image of the Abia State House of Assembly and sowing seeds of discord among its members. There was no such incident, and at no time did any form of altercation—verbal or physical—occur between myself and the Majority Leader or any of my colleagues.
Since the inauguration of the 8th Abia State House of Assembly, the House has continued to operate in an atmosphere of peace, mutual respect, and unity of purpose. Our collective focus has remained on delivering quality legislation, supporting the people-oriented policies of Governor Alex Otti, and advancing the progress of Abia State.
It is therefore disappointing, though not surprising, that certain faceless individuals and political detractors have resorted to fabricating lies to destabilize the harmony we have built and distract us from our legislative duties. Let it be known that such cheap propaganda will fail woefully.
I wish to further clarify that I have no personal or professional issues with Hon. Uchenna Kalu or any member of the House. We continue to work together in brotherhood and with shared commitment to the development of our dear state.
Those behind this baseless story are hereby warned to desist from spreading falsehood or face the full weight of the law. I urge members of the public to disregard the said report in its entirety as it holds no truth whatsoever.
The 8th Abia State House of Assembly remains united, focused, and determined to justify the confidence reposed in us by the good people of Abia State.”
