A coalition led by the Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CSGGG) held a press conference in Abuja on Friday, March 6, 2026.
They issued a 72-hour ultimatum for Benjamin Kalu to Resign or step aside from his position as Deputy Speaker and Provide clarity regarding his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Nigerian Law School records.
The primary bone of contention involves an alleged “statutory impossibility” in his service history. The CSOs claim that Kalu’s records suggest he may have been enrolled in the Nigerian Law School while simultaneously serving his mandatory NYSC year—two programs that are legally required to be full-time and are generally considered mutually exclusive under Nigerian law.
The group, led by Chief Dominic Ogakwu, threatened to “occupy” the National Assembly if the Deputy Speaker does not step down or provide sufficient proof to debunk the claims within the 72-hour window.
While the ultimatum has made headlines, other groups have come to Kalu’s defense.
This group dismissed the allegations as “false, misleading, and politically motivated.” They cited a 2023 verification exercise by the NYSC that reportedly confirmed Kalu’s certificate was validly issued and obtained in compliance with the NYSC Act.
Supporters of the Deputy Speaker suggest these attacks are spearheaded by political rivals in Abia State, specifically aimed at neutralizing his influence ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
