A violent altercation reportedly broke out among members of the Labour Party (LP) caucus in the Abia State House of Assembly during a heated argument over the sharing of a cash gift allegedly disbursed by Alex Otti.

According to multiple sources, the Majority Leader of the House and member representing Arochukwu State Constituency, Okoro Uchenna Kalu, allegedly attacked his colleague, Akachukwu Ucheonye, who represents Aba Central State Constituency, with a beer bottle during the fracas.

The attack reportedly left Ucheonye with a deep head injury and a severe concussion.

The incident was said to have occurred at the Aba residence of Fyne Ahuama, member representing Osisioma Ngwa South Constituency, where the LP lawmakers had gathered for a caucus meeting.

Speaker Emmanuel Emeruwa (Rt. Hon.) was reportedly present during the meeting and allegedly warned those in attendance not to leak details of the incident or report it to the police.

A source privy to the meeting confirmed the attack, stating:

“The lawmaker representing Aba Central, Hon. Ucheonye, suffered a broken head and serious concussion after the Majority Leader, Hon. Uchenna Kalu, struck him with a beer bottle. The attack followed disagreements during the sharing of money allegedly given to the LP caucus by Governor Alex Otti for passing the 2025 supplementary budget.”

Sources revealed that Governor Otti had “appreciated” the LP caucus for the swift passage of the ₦150 billion supplementary appropriation bill in August, which came in addition to the ₦750.3 billion 2025 budget tagged “Budget of Sustained Momentum.” An undisclosed amount of money was reportedly sent to the lawmakers as a token of appreciation.

However, a heated disagreement arose over how the funds should be shared.

Hon. Ucheonye, who chairs the House Committee on Appropriation, Budget and Planning, allegedly demanded a larger share, citing his committee’s pivotal role in the budget process.

According to the source, his insistence angered the Majority Leader, leading to a verbal exchange that quickly escalated into a physical fight.

“While discussing the sharing formula for the money, Hon. Ucheonye insisted on taking a larger share. This infuriated the Majority Leader, who grabbed a beer bottle and broke it on his colleague’s head after a brief exchange of punches,” the source said.

Ucheonye was immediately rushed to a nearby private clinic, where he received treatment for his injuries.

In a message reportedly sent to Governor Otti, accompanied by pictures and video evidence of his treatment, he wrote:

“Good evening, Your Excellency. This is the wound I sustained from the Majority Leader for trying to voice my opinion on issues bordering on the committee I chair during our caucus meeting today at the premises of Hon. Fyne Ahuama in Aba.”

Sources also disclosed that Hon. Ucheonye was later discharged from the clinic to join his colleagues on a state‑sponsored trip to London, which reportedly cost taxpayers nearly ₦1 billion.

“Hon. Ucheonye was discharged from the clinic to join his colleagues on a state‑sponsored trip to London, United Kingdom,” one source confirmed.

The lawmakers reportedly travelled first class and lodged at the Premier Inn London Town Centre Hotel, Phillips House, 6 Lansdowne Rd, Croydon CR0 2BX.

However, the London trip allegedly turned chaotic as well.

Reports indicate that another confrontation erupted among the lawmakers on Sunday morning after accusations surfaced that Speaker Emeruwa, Deputy Speaker Augustine Meregini, and Majority Leader Uchenna Kalu had withheld part of the funds meant for the trip.

According to insiders, only 40% of the money released for the trip was shared with members, while the remaining funds were unaccounted for. Hotel security was reportedly called in to calm the situation.

“Plans are underway among disgruntled members to impeach the Speaker and principal officers over allegations of misappropriation and misconduct,” the source said.

The Abia State House of Assembly has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.

Joy Ogah, a Nigerian teenager, stepped into the role of Vice President for a Day, using the opportunity to champion the rights, education, and well-being of girls across the country.

The symbolic event took place on Monday during a meeting between Vice President Kashim Shettima and a delegation from PLAN International, led by Helen Mfonobong Idiong, the group’s Director of Programme, Quality, and Innovation.

Sitting in the Vice President’s chair, Joy delivered a powerful message highlighting the challenges faced by Nigerian girls, especially in education.

She cited that over 10.5 million children are currently out of school in Nigeria, more than 60% of them are girls.

“We must invest in education that is safe and inclusive for every child in Nigeria,” Joy said, urging policymakers to take action.

She called for free sanitary products in schools, clean water and proper sanitation, nutrition programs for school children and stronger protection policies for girls.

“Every girl deserves a classroom, a choice, dignity, not silence,” she added.

“I may be Vice President for a day, but the struggles I represent cannot end in a day. They must continue in our policies, our classrooms, our conversations, and our budgets.”

Vice President Shettima responded by reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to promoting inclusive education and supporting girl-child empowerment.

“We will continue our collaboration with PLAN International and ensure the government lends its strength to your advocacy,” Shettima said.

“In President Bola Tinubu, you have an ally you can trust and believe in.”

Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate in Enugu State, Barr. Chijioke Edeoga, has lauded the leadership of Governor Peter Ndubisi Mbah, describing him as a leader who is genuinely committed to the transformation and development of the state.

Edeoga made the remarks on Monday during a private ceremony to mark his 61st birthday, held at his residence in Enugu.

The event, attended by family members, political associates and friends, turned into a platform for both celebration and reflection on the state’s future.

“Governor Mbah has continued to give reasons why he is a committed leader,” Edeoga said.

“Through visible actions and forward-thinking policies, he is demonstrating that true leadership is not about rhetoric, but about measurable impact.”

He noted that Enugu is fast becoming one of the most dynamic economies in the South-East, attributing this progress to Governor Mbah’s strategic governance and infrastructural investment.

“The transformation we’re seeing across Enugu, in infrastructure, governance and investment, is inspiring,” Edeoga added.

“It’s clear that Governor Mbah is driven by a sincere desire to build a prosperous future for all.”

Edeoga expressed gratitude to God for the gift of life and good health as he marked another milestone in his life.

He thanked his family, friends, and supporters for organising what he described as a memorable and humbling celebration.

“I do not take this honour for granted,” he said.

“I deeply appreciate everyone who made today special. It’s a reminder that life’s true blessings lie in the people who walk with us through its journey.”

Turning to matters of governance, the former Commissioner urged political leaders across the state to set aside personal interests and partisan divisions in support of Governor Mbah’s administration.

“At this stage in our history, unity of purpose is what we need,” Edeoga stated.

“Let us rise above personal ambitions and work collectively to support good governance. When leaders pull in the same direction, the people benefit and the state moves forward faster.”

Traditional rulers in Annang land, Akwa Ibom State, have issued a formal summons to Mrs. Patience Akpabio, the sister-in-law of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and her husband Ibanga Akpabio, demanding their appearance within seven days over alleged defamatory social media posts.

The apex body of Annang traditional rulers, Afe Nkuku Annang, released a communiqué on Monday after a meeting held at the Ati Annang Secretariat in Ikot Ekpene.

The monarchs expressed outrage over what they described as “malicious and unguarded” comments allegedly made by Mrs. Akpabio, linking the Senate President to multiple killings during his time as governor of Akwa Ibom State.

In one such Facebook post, Mrs. Patience Akpabio wrote:

“For all the people you people have killed when you were governor of Akwa Ibom, and those you people have killed now that you are in the Senate, it will not be well with you.”

The Afe Nkuku Annang demanded that both Patience and Ibanga Akpabio appear before the traditional council within seven days to offer clarification and undergo possible cleansing rituals, as prescribed by Annang customs.

Failure to comply, the royal body warned, would result in “drastic punitive sanctions.”

The communiqué was signed by HRM Obong Cosmas Okon Akpan, Paramount Ruler of Essien Udim and President of the council, Akuku (Prof.) Amanam Akpanudo Udo, Paramount Ruler of Etim Ekpo and Vice President and Engr. (Dr.) J.J. Obosi IV (JP), Paramount Ruler of Oruk Anam.

The monarchs condemned the “vulgar language” used by Mrs. Akpabio, emphasizing that as a woman married into the esteemed Akpabio family of Essien Udim, she was expected to maintain the dignity and values of her marital home and community.

They argued that if she had legitimate grievances, she should have reported them to family elders, traditional authorities, or law enforcement, rather than making inflammatory public posts on social media.

“Rather than pursue lawful and dignified channels, she chose to engage in social media taunting and blackmail, apparently aimed at tarnishing the Senate President’s image,” the statement read.

The monarchs further stated that her posts had also dragged the name of Governor Umo Eno into public controversy, describing the allegations as baseless and defamatory.

Attempts to contact Mrs. Patience Akpabio and her husband were unsuccessful as their mobile phones remained unreachable at the time of this report.

Former Nigerian Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has arrived in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to lead the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission ahead of the country’s presidential election scheduled for October 25, 2025.

His arrival on Monday was announced in a statement by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Tuesday.

The regional body said the deployment of the mission aligns with the 2001 Additional Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, underscoring ECOWAS’ commitment to peace, democratic governance, and regional stability.

Osinbajo, who served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 2015 to 2023, is heading a mission of 187 observers.

Among them are 150 short-term observers, 15 long-term electoral experts and 22 young observers participating through the ECOWAS pilot program on youth involvement in election observation.

In addition, the mission is reinforced by 66 observers from the African Union (AU).

Assisting Osinbajo in leading the mission are two prominent diplomats; Baboucarr Blaise Ismaïla Jagne, former Foreign Affairs Minister of The Gambia and Mahamat Saleh Annadif, former Foreign Affairs Minister of Chad.

These observers are tasked with monitoring pre-election, election-day, and post-election activities to ensure the electoral process complies with both regional and international standards.

Osinbajo was received in Abidjan by top ECOWAS officials, including Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security and Fanta Cissé, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Côte d’Ivoire.

In his remarks, Osinbajo expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the mission and noted the warm hospitality of the Ivorian people.

He also voiced optimism that the election would be peaceful, credible, and transparent.

“It is an honour to lead this mission to such a peaceful and welcoming country. We are hopeful that the entire process will reflect the democratic aspirations of the Ivorian people,” he said.

Osinbajo, who also served as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, brings decades of legal and governance experience to his new regional role.

The October 25 poll is particularly significant as President Alassane Ouattara, aged 83, has announced his intention to seek a fourth term in office.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Federal Government to provide clarity on allegations of a coup plot involving arrested military officers.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party stressed its deep concern about the potential misuse of such claims for political purposes.

While condemning any threat to Nigeria’s democratic order, ADC warned that allegations of a coup must not become a tool for political witch-hunts, silencing dissent, or manipulating public perceptions.

The party noted conflicting narratives, especially government denials despite widespread media reports, fuel suspicion that the coup narrative may be politically engineered.

Expressing frustration over the government’s silence, ADC argued that failing to respond decisively has allowed the rumor to fester unchecked.

It further accused the administration of potentially using the coup story to deflect attention from governance failures and curry public sympathy.

The party urged the government to either quash the rumours decisively or issue a transparent national briefing if any genuine threat exists.

It also warned against using national security justifications to suppress opposition voices or clamp down on civil liberties.

In the backdrop of these developments, the Defence Headquarters has already denied any coup plot, labeling reports as false and malicious, and clarified that the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade was unrelated to coup speculation.