The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has come out strongly in defense of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, dismissing recent allegations against him as false and politically motivated.

The group described Senator Kalu as the most liberal, detribalized, and selfless politician in Nigeria, crediting him with the political and economic rise of many South East politicians and businessmen.

In a statement signed by its President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Okey Nwaoru, COSEYL criticized a former minority leader in the Abia State House of Assembly, for allegedly spreading misinformation about Senator Kalu’s role in national appointments. The group insisted that Senator Kalu did not influence the appointment of his younger brother, Hon. Nnanna Uzor Kalu, to the National Assembly Board and never complained about being sidelined in political decisions.

COSEYL highlighted Senator Kalu’s longstanding commitment to mentorship, revealing that about 60 percent of successful politicians and businessmen in the South East owe their success to his guidance. The group pointed to Kalu’s tenure as Abia State Governor from 1999 to 2007, during which he appointed people from across Nigeria, regardless of tribe or region.

Among his notable appointments were Barr. Chuka Odom from Imo State, who later became a Federal Minister; Chief Victor Oye from Anambra State, who served in Kalu’s cabinet before becoming the National Chairman of APGA; and the late Barr. Olusegun Bamgbose from Ondo State, a former presidential candidate of the NNPP.

COSEYL further noted that Kalu played a major role in the political careers of various leaders, including Chief Ikedi Ohakim, whom he supported to become Governor of Imo State in 2007, and Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, whom he backed in the 2019 elections for the Bende Federal Constituency seat under the APC.

The youth group emphasized that despite betrayals from some beneficiaries of his goodwill, Senator Kalu has remained steadfast in his commitment to uplifting others. According to COSEYL, before Kalu turned 39, he had already made over 5,000 people millionaires and billionaires.