The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has endorsed Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s bid for a third term in the Senate, rejecting a recent communiqué by a group identifying as “Ohafia Stakeholders” which opposed his re-election.

At a press briefing held on Friday, COSEYL described the senator’s representation of Abia North as marked by active grassroots engagement and visible development projects. The group said its endorsement reflects the broader sentiment of constituents across the senatorial district.

Speaking at the event, the President General of COSEYL, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, stated that the decision to back Kalu was based on feedback from local communities. “The good people of Abia North Senatorial District have spoken clearly and boldly. They have endorsed Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for a third term in the Senate because of his consistent delivery of democratic dividends,” Ibem said.

According to the group, Kalu’s tenure in the National Assembly has been defined by interventions in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and small business empowerment. COSEYL also cited road construction and engagement with local communities as reasons for continued support.

In a joint statement signed by Ibem and the group’s publicity secretary, Comrade Okey Nwaoru, COSEYL addressed the communiqué recently issued by individuals claiming to represent Ohafia stakeholders, which criticised Kalu’s re-election efforts. COSEYL said the signatories do not speak for the broader community.

“We are compelled to respond to the ill-advised and self-serving communiqué issued by a group parading themselves as ‘Ohafia Stakeholders,’” the group said. “Let it be on record that these individuals do not speak for the collective will of the Ohafia people. Their views are not only unpopular but misleading and should be disregarded entirely.”

The youth organisation alleged that those behind the communiqué lack local electoral relevance and warned against what it described as politically motivated attempts to discredit Kalu’s record.

“Their communiqué does not represent the true voice of Ohafia. These people are known for political mischief and have no electoral relevance in their wards, let alone in Ohafia as a whole,” Ibem said. “The real stakeholders—the market women, traditional rulers, youth groups, artisans, and community leaders—are solidly behind Senator Kalu.”

COSEYL also recalled Kalu’s broader political career, noting his tenure as governor of Abia State and his current role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission. The group said his legislative focus has addressed issues specific to the region and contributed to infrastructure and economic growth.

Senator Kalu was first elected to the Senate in 2019. He represents Abia North Senatorial District under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).