A youth advocacy group in Abia State has defended Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, against allegations that one of his constituency projects was abandoned, describing the claims as misleading and politically motivated.

The Abia Progressive Youth Frontier (APYF) said reports questioning the implementation of a conference and e-learning facility linked to the lawmaker had generated unnecessary controversy without adequate understanding of the project’s status and execution process.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its State Coordinator, Chinedu Nwafor, the group said attempts to label the project as abandoned ignored Kalu’s broader record of constituency interventions in Bende Federal Constituency.

According to the group, Kalu remains one of the most impactful federal lawmakers from Abia State, citing his contributions in youth empowerment, education, infrastructure, healthcare support, and constituency development.

“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 said.

The group noted that several projects linked to the deputy speaker, including educational, road, and empowerment initiatives, were already benefiting residents across the constituency.

It added that changes in project location or implementation structure should not automatically be interpreted as fraud or diversion of public funds without verified findings from relevant authorities.

“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 organisation also commended Kalu for what it described as responsive leadership and sustained engagement with community needs, particularly through programmes targeted at improving opportunities for young people.

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

The group added that while public scrutiny of government projects is important in a democracy, it should not create false impressions capable of damaging reputations without credible evidence.