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From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), a conglomerate of Igbo youth groups, has condemned recent remarks made by human rights lawyer, Chidi Odinkalu, against Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, describing them as “reckless, inflammatory, and unbecoming” of public discourse.
In a press release issued yesterday and signed by its President General, Goodluck Ibem, COSEYL said Odinkalu’s statements amounted to “insults, character assassination, and unsubstantiated allegations” against the Senator representing Abia North and Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC).
The group accused Odinkalu of bypassing constructive debate in favour of “a barrage of personal attacks and grave allegations without presenting any credible evidence.” It stressed that public commentary “must be guided by facts and not by speculation, prejudice, or personal animosity.”
COSEYL described Senator Kalu as “a highly respected elder statesman, former governor, accomplished businessman, and a ranking Senator,” noting his record in the private sector before entering politics. The group also defended Kalu’s oversight of the SEDC as a “constitutional responsibility designed to promote transparency, accountability, and effective utilisation of public resources.”
“Senator Kalu’s interest in the activities of the SEDC stems from his commitment to ensuring that the Commission succeeds in delivering meaningful development to the South East,” the statement read.
It added that portraying his legislative oversight as driven by personal interest was “misleading and unacceptable.” The youth body urged Odinkalu to “refrain from making allegations that he cannot substantiate” and to engage in public debate with “the level of responsibility expected of a former public office holder.”
It further called for public discourse to focus on “issues, policies, and verifiable facts rather than personal attacks and sensational claims.”
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“We are deeply disturbed by Odinkalu’s persistent resort to insults, character assassination, and unsubstantiated allegations against Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, a highly respected elder statesman, former governor, accomplished businessman, and a ranking Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“It is unfortunate that rather than engaging in constructive debate, Chidi Odinkalu chose to launch a barrage of personal attacks and make grave allegations without presenting any credible evidence to support his claims. Public commentary must be guided by facts and not by speculation, prejudice, or personal animosity.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has built a distinguished record in business and public service over several decades. Long before joining politics, he established himself as a successful entrepreneur and corporate leader, creating jobs and contributing to economic development. His achievements in both the private and public sectors are matters of public record.
“The attempt to portray Senator Kalu’s constitutional oversight responsibilities as Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC) as anything other than legitimate legislative functions is misleading and unacceptable. “Legislative oversight is a constitutional responsibility designed to promote transparency, accountability, and effective utilisation of public resources. No public institution is exempted from such oversight.
“COSEYL firmly believes that Senator Kalu’s interest in the activities of the SEDC stems from his commitment to ensuring that the Commission succeeds in delivering meaningful development to the South East region. It is, therefore, wrong and unfair to distort legitimate parliamentary duties into a narrative of personal interest without evidence”, Ibem’s statement concluded.
COSEYL, however, has declared its full support for Senator Kalu and called on stakeholders to “reject politics of bitterness, false accusations, and character assassination.”
The group also called for “the immediate arrest and prosecution of Chidi Odinkalu for defamation of character and cyber bullying, to serve as a deterrent to others.”
