**Naija Politics: Group Defends Kalu, Slams Allegations as Politically Motivated** A group of Igbo youths, the Union of Igbo Youths (UIY), has come out in support of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, amidst allegations surrounding his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate and Nigerian Law School records. The UIY has dismissed these allegations as fabricated and politically motivated, labeling them a ploy to undermine Kalu's growing political influence in the South-East. The UIY also took a swipe at the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), which it described as a "group for hire" allegedly acting on behalf of unnamed political sponsors. The group challenged COSEYL to provide concrete evidence to support its claims, warning that any further defamation of Kalu would be met with severe consequences. According to UIY, a 2023 verification exercise conducted by the NYSC confirmed that Kalu obtained his certificate in compliance with the NYSC Act. A senior director of the agency involved in the process publicly reaffirmed the outcome, putting to rest any doubts surrounding Kalu's NYSC certificate. The UIY also reacted to reports of a potential petition against Kalu before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee over his Law School records. The group challenged COSEYL to present documentary evidence, including any counter-verification from the NYSC, an official letter from the agency's Director-General disputing the earlier findings, or a sworn affidavit from a competent authority. In a strongly worded statement issued by UIY's National President, Dr. Nicholas Nwigwe, and Vice President, Dr. Ada Stella Okoronkwo, the group warned that any further attempts to undermine emerging political figures from the South-East would be met with fierce resistance. With the 2023 general elections behind us, the UIY's stance on this matter is a clear indication of the fierce competition for power and influence in Nigeria's South-East region.