Youth Coalition Rejects Credential Forgery Allegations Against Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu as Politically Motivated Smear Campaign

Youth group dismisses NYSC forgery allegations against Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu, citing 2023 verification as proof of his valid credentials.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 4:42 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from THISDAY

Civil Society Group Defends Deputy Speaker Against Forgery Claims

The Youth Renaissance for Good Governance has issued a strong rebuttal against claims leveled by the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) targeting the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu. In a statement released in Abuja, the group categorized the scrutiny of Kalu’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Nigerian Law School records as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public. According to the group’s leadership, there is no credible or verified official report that indicts the Deputy Speaker, asserting that the current narrative is built on fabricated information designed to destabilize his office.

NYSC Verification Exercise Confirms Academic Record Validity

Central to the defense of the Deputy Speaker is the 2023 NYSC verification exercise, which the Youth Renaissance for Good Governance describes as the definitive evidence in this matter. Dr. Ebekuo Madu, the group’s National President, claimed that a senior director within the NYSC has already confirmed that Kalu’s discharge certificate was obtained in full compliance with the NYSC Act. According to the group, the agency has already issued a formal verification letter, effectively neutralizing allegations that Kalu improperly enrolled in Law School while simultaneously fulfilling his national service obligations.

Rival Political Interests in Abia State Linked to Petitions

The group suggests that the sudden surge in petitions is a direct result of political desperation emanating from rival interests within Abia State. Although Hon. Kalu has not formally declared an intention to run for the governorship, supporters believe his growing political influence has alarmed potential competitors. The statement claims that these "desperate forces" have resorted to hiring proxies and sponsoring protest groups from outside the South-east region to agitate against the Deputy Speaker using public funds, a tactic the group describes as an affront to regional dignity.