Youth Group Rejects Allegations Against Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Challenges COSEYL to Produce Evidence

ABUJA — A socio-political youth organisation, Youth Renaissance for Good Governance, has rejected allegations concerning the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate and Nigerian Law School records of Nigeria’s Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, describing the claims as false and politically motivated.

The group made its position known in a statement issued on Wednesday while responding to claims circulated by the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL). According to the organisation, no credible or official report exists indicting the Deputy Speaker, and it challenged COSEYL to produce evidence supporting its allegations.

Youth Renaissance for Good Governance, which says it represents more than 30,000 Igbo youths across Nigeria and in the diaspora, maintained that the controversy surrounding Kalu’s NYSC certificate had already been addressed through an official verification process conducted by the National Youth Service Corps in 2023.

The statement, signed by the organisation’s National President, Dr. Ebekuo Madu, and National Secretary, Paul Nwachukwu, said the verification exercise confirmed that the certificate issued to the Deputy Speaker was genuine and obtained in line with the provisions of the NYSC Act.

According to the group, Kalu presented his original certificate to the NYSC during the verification exercise carried out in May 2023. The organisation said officials of the corps subsequently confirmed that the certificate was authentic and had been duly issued. It also referred to a formal verification letter from the NYSC which it said confirmed the authenticity of the certificate following the investigation.

The youth organisation further dismissed suggestions that the matter could lead to disciplinary proceedings before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC). It described the idea as unrealistic, arguing that the committee deals with serious cases involving professional misconduct and would not entertain petitions built on what it called fabricated allegations.

Beyond disputing the claims, the group suggested that the controversy could be linked to political tensions within Abia State. It alleged that certain political interests were attempting to undermine the Deputy Speaker due to speculation about his political future and growing influence in the state.

According to the statement, although Kalu has not declared any intention to contest the governorship of Abia State, the speculation about a possible bid had unsettled some political actors who fear his potential political strength.

The group also alleged that protests and campaigns against the Deputy Speaker were being orchestrated by groups outside the South-East, claiming they were sponsored by political interests seeking to weaken his standing.

Youth Renaissance for Good Governance urged COSEYL to focus on issues affecting young people in the South-East rather than engage in what it described as politically motivated attacks. It said youth organisations should prioritise addressing the region’s development challenges and the welfare of young people.

The group also noted that some youth groups within the South-East were considering organising a solidarity rally in support of the Deputy Speaker.

As of the time of filing this report, the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders had not responded to requests for comment on the allegations. Efforts to obtain a response from the office of the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, were unsuccessful at press time.