Group Dismisses Allegations Against Dep Speaker Kalu 

A youth organisation, the 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 Nigerian Law School records.

The group also challenged the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) to produce what it described as a “phantom report” allegedly indicting the deputy speaker.

In a statement signed by its National President, Dr. Ebekuo Madu, and National Secretary, Paul Nwachukwu, the organisation said the allegations were “entirely false” and aimed at discrediting the lawmaker.

The group stated that a 2023 verification exercise conducted by the National Youth Service Corps confirmed the authenticity of Kalu’s NYSC certificate.

According to the statement, a senior NYSC official involved in the verification exercise affirmed that the certificate was duly obtained in compliance with the provisions of the NYSC Act, adding that the agency had already issued a verification letter to that effect.

The youth organisation said there was no credible or official report indicting the deputy speaker.

“We wish to place before the Nigerian public and 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 said.

The group also dismissed the possibility of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) entertaining what it described as “politically motivated petitions” against the deputy speaker.

It argued that the LPDC’s mandate was too significant to be used for political vendettas.

The organisation further alleged that political rivals in Abia State were behind the claims, suggesting that the attacks may be linked to speculation surrounding Kalu’s possible future political ambitions in the state.

“Rt. Hon. Kalu has not even declared any intention to run for the governorship of Abia State, yet certain interests appear determined to undermine him through sponsored allegations,” the statement added.

The group urged COSEYL to focus on issues affecting youths in the South-East rather than engaging in what it called politically motivated campaigns.

It also noted that some youth groups in the region were considering organising solidarity rallies in support of the deputy speaker.

COSEYL had not responded to requests for comment as of press time, while Kalu’s office also did not immediately respond.