Youth Group Faults Claims Linking Kalu To Abandoned Constituency Project

A youth group, the Abia Progressive Youth Frontier (APYF), has faulted allegations linking the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, to an allegedly abandoned constituency project, describing the claims as misleading and politically motivated.

The group said recent reports questioning the implementation of a conference and e-learning facility created unnecessary controversy without proper understanding of the project’s execution process and current status.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its State Coordinator, Chinedu Nwafor, APYF said attempts to portray the project as abandoned ignored the broader record of infrastructural and educational interventions facilitated by Kalu across Bende Federal Constituency.

According to the organisation, the deputy speaker has remained one of the most visible and impactful lawmakers from Abia State, particularly in the areas of youth empowerment, education, infrastructure, healthcare support and constituency development.

The group maintained that public discussions surrounding constituency projects should be guided by fairness, verification and proper understanding of implementation timelines rather than assumptions capable of creating distrust among citizens.

“We consider it necessary to caution against the growing trend where incomplete project sites are hastily labelled abandoned projects without considering procurement processes, execution phases and administrative adjustments that may occur during implementation,” the statement read.

APYF noted that Kalu’s interventions in communities across Abia State have remained visible and verifiable, adding that several road, educational and empowerment projects linked to the lawmaker are already benefiting residents.

The organisation also argued that relocation of project components or changes in implementation structure should not automatically be interpreted as fraud or diversion of public funds without verified evidence from relevant authorities.

It further stressed that public office holders should be subjected to credible institutional scrutiny rather than what it described as social media sensationalism capable of distorting facts and undermining public confidence.

“The people of Bende Federal Constituency are not disconnected from developments within their communities. We have seen projects, interventions, scholarships, youth programmes and strategic investments facilitated through the office of the deputy speaker,” Nwafor said.

“To reduce an entire record of representation to allegations driven largely by assumptions does not reflect the realities on ground.”

The group commended Kalu for what it described as responsive leadership and sustained engagement with community needs, noting that many youths in the constituency have benefitted from empowerment schemes, educational support programmes and skills acquisition initiatives associated with his office.

APYF also urged anti-corruption agencies and oversight institutions to continue carrying out their responsibilities professionally and without political pressure, stressing that accountability must remain evidence-based.

According to the organisation, while civic scrutiny of public projects remains important in a democratic society, such scrutiny must avoid creating false impressions capable of damaging reputations without verified findings.