Igbo Youth Union Condemns "Politically Motivated" Attacks on Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu Over Certificate Claims

The UIY dismisses NYSC and Law School allegations against Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu as politically motivated, citing official 2023 verification records.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 7, 2026, 10:13 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Nation Newspaper

Defending a Rising Political Figure in the South-East

The Union of Igbo Youths (UIY) has formally declared its unwavering support for the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu. In a detailed statement released on Wednesday, the organization dismissed recent allegations questioning Kalu’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate and Nigerian Law School records as entirely fraudulent. UIY leadership characterized these claims as a calculated attempt by "political sponsors" to derail Kalu’s ascending career. National President Dr. Nicholas Nwigwe emphasized that the organization is not merely offering support but is issuing a stern warning to those attempting to sabotage influential leaders who are attracting federal resources to the South-East region.

Verified Authenticity of NYSC Certification

Central to the group’s defense is the outcome of a comprehensive 2023 verification exercise conducted by the NYSC. According to the UIY, the agency carried out an independent investigation into Kalu’s service records and subsequently issued a formal verification letter affirming that the certificate was obtained in full compliance with the NYSC Act. A senior director within the agency has reportedly reaffirmed these findings publicly. The UIY challenged opposing groups—specifically the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL)—to produce any legitimate documentary evidence, such as a counter-verification from the Director-General, to substantiate their defamatory claims.

Rejecting the Misuse of Legal Regulatory Bodies

The UIY also addressed rumors of a potential petition being filed against the Deputy Speaker before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee regarding his Law School history. The group dismissed this as "political harassment," asserting that one of Nigeria’s most respected legal regulatory institutions would not allow itself to be weaponized for partisan warfare. Dr. Ada Stella Okoronkwo, UIY Vice President, called upon the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and senior members of the legal profession to remain vigilant and protect the integrity of the committee from being exploited by rival interests seeking to tarnish the reputation of a constitutional officer.