Igbo Youth Group Defends Benjamin Kalu, Dismisses COSEYL Allegations as ‘False and Politically Motivated’

A prominent Igbo youth organisation, Youth Renaissance for Good Governance, has dismissed allegations against the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, over his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate and records from the Nigerian Law School.

The group was reacting to claims made by the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, which questioned the authenticity of Kalu’s NYSC certificate and professional credentials.

In a statement signed by its National President, Ebekuo Madu, and National Secretary, Paul Nwachukwu, the organisation described the allegations as a “nauseating report that bore enormous falsehood.”

The group, which said it represents over 30,000 Igbo youths across Nigeria’s 36 states and the diaspora, challenged COSEYL to provide credible evidence supporting its claims.

“We wish to place before the Nigerian public and all well-meaning citizens of the South-East the irrefutable fact that there exists no credible, official, or verified report indicting Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu,” the statement read.

According to the group, a 2023 verification exercise by the National Youth Service Corps confirmed that Kalu’s certificate was legitimately obtained in full compliance with the NYSC Act.

It added that a senior NYSC official involved in the process verified the authenticity of the certificate and that the agency had already issued a formal verification letter to that effect.

The group also dismissed the possibility of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee taking up the matter, describing the petition as frivolous and politically motivated.

According to the statement, the LPDC’s mandate is too significant to be used for what it termed political vendetta.

Youth Renaissance for Good Governance further alleged that the controversy was being fuelled by political rivals in Abia State who are unsettled by Kalu’s rising political influence and speculated governorship ambitions.

“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 said.

The group claimed that such attacks on prominent South-East politicians often emerge during election cycles and urged COSEYL to focus on addressing pressing issues affecting youths in the region.

It also revealed that some youth groups in the South-East were considering organising a solidarity rally in support of the deputy speaker.

The organisation concluded by urging unity among Igbo people and called on political actors to avoid actions capable of undermining the dignity of the region.

As of press time, COSEYL had not responded to requests for comment, while the office of Benjamin Kalu also had not issued an immediate response.