Youth group dismisses allegations against Deputy Speaker Kalu
A prominent Igbo youth organisation has dismissed as false allegations against the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, regarding his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate and
A prominent Igbo youth organisation has dismissed as false allegations against the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, regarding his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate and Nigerian Law School records.
The group, Youth Renaissance for Good Governance, which claims to have over 30,000 Igbo youth members across the 36 states and the Diaspora, described claims made by the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders as a report riddled with falsehoods and challenged the organisation to disclose the source of its allegations.
In a statement signed by its National President, Dr. Ebekuo Madu, and National Secretary, Paul Nwachukwu, the group insisted that no credible or verified report exists indicting Kalu.
“We wish to place before the Nigerian public and all well-meaning citizens of the South-East the irrefutable fact that no credible, official, or verified report exists indicting the Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu,” the statement said.
The organisation cited a 2023 verification exercise by the National Youth Service Corps, which it said confirmed that Kalu’s certificate was duly obtained in compliance with the NYSC Act. According to the group, the agency issued a verification letter affirming the document's authenticity.
It also dismissed the likelihood of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee considering any petition based on what it described as fabricated allegations, arguing that the committee’s mandate is too significant to be used for political purposes.
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The group further alleged that political actors in Abia State were behind attempts to discredit the deputy speaker, claiming that speculation about his potential governorship ambition had unsettled rival interests.
“Rt. Hon. Kalu has not even declared any intention to run for the governorship of Abia State, yet these desperate forces are so terrified of his potential that they have resorted to hiring proxies,” the statement added.
It noted that attacks on Kalu’s credentials have become a recurring tactic during election cycles against prominent political figures from the South-East.
The organisation urged the coalition to concentrate on issues affecting youths in the region instead of engaging in political disputes.
It also noted that some youth groups in the South-East were considering a solidarity rally in support of the deputy speaker.
Efforts to obtain a response from COSEYL were unsuccessful as of press time, while Kalu’s office had yet to issue an official comment.
