Group backs Kalu, dismisses NYSC, Law School allegations as politically motivated
The Union of Igbo Youths has declared its support for the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, dismissing allegations regarding his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)
The Union of Igbo Youths has declared its support for the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, dismissing allegations regarding his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate and Nigerian Law School records as fabricated and politically motivated.
The group also criticised the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, describing it as a “group for hire” allegedly acting on behalf of unnamed political sponsors.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its National President, Dr. Nicholas Nwigwe, and Vice President, Dr. Ada Stella Okoronkwo, the organisation said it was issuing not only a statement of support but also a warning against attempts to undermine emerging political figures from the South-East.
The group said its position was based on the outcome of a 2023 verification exercise conducted by the National Youth Service Corps, which it said confirmed that Kalu obtained his certificate in compliance with the NYSC Act.
According to the statement, the NYSC conducted an independent investigation into questions surrounding the certificate and subsequently issued a verification letter affirming its authenticity. It added that a senior director of the agency involved in the process had publicly reaffirmed the outcome.
The UIY challenged COSEYL to present documentary evidence to support its claims, including any counter-verification from the NYSC, an official letter from the agency’s Director-General disputing the earlier findings, or a sworn affidavit from a competent authority.
“Because if you cannot—and we are absolutely certain you cannot—then COSEYL has done nothing less than defame a serving constitutional officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement said.
The group also reacted to reports that a petition might be filed against Kalu before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee over his records at the Nigerian Law School.
UIY dismissed the possibility, saying the committee, which it described as one of the country’s most respected regulatory institutions, would not allow itself to be used for political harassment.
It urged the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association and senior members of the legal profession to safeguard the integrity of the committee from partisan misuse.
In another section of the statement titled “COSEYL: A Group for Hire,” the organisation posed several questions to the coalition, including the identity of those allegedly sponsoring the campaign, the source of its funding, and the specific report it relied upon in making the allegations.
The UIY also questioned why the Deputy Speaker was being targeted despite not declaring any intention to contest an election.
According to the group, the criticism may be driven more by political calculations than genuine concerns about accountability.
It argued that Kalu’s growing political influence and his role in attracting federal attention and resources to the South-East had made him a target of rival interests.
“They are not fighting a declared candidate. They are fighting a potential,” the statement said.
The organisation called on Igbo youth groups, traditional institutions, the media, and security agencies to reject what it described as a coordinated campaign against the Deputy Speaker and to investigate the funding of protest activities linked to the allegations.