From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Alabh George Turnah has emerged as the newly elected Chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Bayelsa state chapter with other elective officers to pilot the affairs of the party in the state.

Barr. Turnar who was the Acting Chairman of the Party in the state following the sack of former state working committee led by Solomon Agwana was dully elected as the chairman of the party in a concencious votes by the delegates on Saturday 14th March 2026.

The State Elective Congress was conducted under the watchful eyes of the representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) observers, National officers of PDP, stakeholders, Media among the rest.

Speaking during the acceptance speech, the newly elected Chairman Barr. Alabh George Turnah said, he accepted the responsibility as the chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa state and his elective officers to reposition the party for greater works.

Turnar said, they take the mandates as sacred given to them by the people and they will not betray the confidence the people have repose in them. “We will work with all our hearts in line with the oath office we have taken before you today. I assure you, it’s a new down as from today for PDP in Bayelsa state”.

“PDP is Bayelsa and Bayelsa is PDP, what seems to look like PDP is an opposition in Bayelsa is theoretical . What is practical is that PDP is a majority party in Bayelsa state and at the right time, the people will reciprocate as we always done in appreciation to the party that have given an Ijaw man everything we would have ever ask for in this project called Nigeria.

“We are not an ungrateful people, we will continue to stand by this party PDP. The God who stand by the Party in 2019 is still the same God today and He still rules in the affairs of men. Come 2027 PDP under our leadership will not only make strong statement but will also deliver to the expectations of the world.

“Bayelsa Creek Haven belongs to PDP. This Secretariat is open for all and activities has begun in enerst with immediate state working committee meeting to kick start our work. We have already hit the ground running, I assure you of our loyalty, I assure you of our commitment, I assure you that we will operate open door administration . PDP will stand for you and we also expect that you will stand for PDP”.

He commended INEC, the panelists, observers and others for their hard work for the country. “I seek the co-operation of my team in order for us to work together. United we stand divided we fall”, Turnar said.

The newly elected Chairman Alabh George Turnah also used the occasion to commissioned the new PDP Secretariat building situated along Issac Boro express way in Yenagoa the state capital.

The Benue State Security Trust Fund Bill, 2026, passes second reading on Thursday at the Benue State House of Assembly.

Leading the debate, Thomas Dugeri, the Majority Leader, emphasised that the bill sought to create a pool of resources to support the acquisition of security equipment and the deployment of both human and material resources necessary for all security agencies operating in the state.

Dugeri said that part of the fund would be earmarked for the training and retraining of security personnel, ensuring that they were equipped to meet the evolving security challenges facing Benue.

“Our people are confronted with insecurity from multiple fronts.

“Security is everybody’s business, and it is imperative that we invest in the sector proactively to prepare for the rainy day,” he said.

He urged his colleagues to support the bill to pass second reading and subsequent passage.

Samuel Agada (APC/Ogbadibo) described the bill as apt, timely, and necessary.

Also, Cephas Dyako (APC/Konshisha), highlighted that members of the public would also be encouraged to contribute financially to the fund.

Anthony Agom (APC/Okpokwu), said that the initiative would help the government address persistent security gaps and fulfill its responsibilities more effectively.

Emmanuel Onah (PDP/Oju I), cited the example of Zamfara, where the governor purchased and distributed security vehicles to law enforcement agencies to combat insecurity.

He noted that Benue currently faced significant security challenges and pledged that his constituents were ready to contribute to the proposed fund.

After the debate, the Speaker, Alfred Emberga, called on the Clerk, Dr Bem Mela, to read the bill for the second time.

Emberga further referred the bill to the Committee on Local Government, Security and Chieftaincy Affairs to conduct a public hearing.

He said that after the public hearing, the bill was expected to receive accelerated passage.

Senegal’s parliament has approved a new law doubling to 10 years the maximum prison term for sexual acts by same-sex couples and criminalising the “Promotion” of homosexuality.

A total of 135 MPs voted in favour, zero against and three abstained.

The legislation, which was a campaign promise of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, was sent to parliament after a wave of arrests over alleged same-sex relationships, already banned under Senegalese law.

The government spokesman dismissed international criticism of the bill, arguing that the move reflected the views of Senegalese people.

“The majority of Senegalese do not accept homosexuality. Our culture rejects it and we are firmly opposed to it,” said Amadou Moustapha Ndieck Sarré.

Some conservative activists in Senegal have long demanded harsher penalties.

The movement And Sàmm Jikko Yi, which campaigns to defend what it calls Senegalese moral values, has repeatedly urged authorities to adopt stricter legislation criminalising homosexual acts. Its leaders argue the law is necessary to protect Senegalese cultural and religious norms.

However, rights groups warn the move could worsen discrimination and violence against sexual minorities. Human Rights Watch researcher Larissa Kojoué said the proposed changes were worrying.

“Criminalising same-sex conduct and arresting people for their sexual orientation violates multiple internationally protected rights, including equality and non-discrimination.”

She added that such measures risked exposing people who were already stigmatised to “violence and fear.”

Alioune Tine, founder of the think-tank Afrikajom Center, said that the current climate could worsen social tensions. “If it is true that social concerns must be addressed, [the law] also has to respect human rights and protect public-health policies.”

Others have pointed out that same-sex relationships are a part of life and cannot be abolished by a law.

“Most of the same-sex relationships were hidden anyway. There are even people who are married in the society and who are still entertaining a safe-sex relationship because of the norm and the cultural norm in that society,” Senegal LGBTQ Association head and medical doctor Charles Dotou said.

All that will happen is “people will be hiding more, it will create more fear and people will be scared to live normally in that community. So there will be an exodus of people, particularly people who were already exposed so that that creates a bit of chaos in society,” Dr Dotou added.

The toughening of Senegal’s law follows a wave of arrests last month over alleged same-sex relationships. Police detained 12 men – among them two public figures and a prominent journalist.

Some supporters of the tougher legislation say they have concerns about HIV transmission, although it has long been scientifically established that people of any sexuality can contract and spread the illness.

Experts warn that further criminalising same-sex relations could vilify gay people living with HIV to the point that they shy away from receiving the vital medical care they need.

Senegal has been praised for its efforts to control HIV. Between 42,000 and 44,000 people are living with the virus in the country, with a national prevalence of about 0.3% among adults, one of the lowest rates in West Africa, according to the health ministry.

At the Fann University Hospital in Dakar, the executive secretary of the National Council for the Fight Against Aids (CNLS) – the body that has coordinated the country’s HIV response for decades – is worried about the situation with LGBTQ+ people.

“We have managed to control the HIV epidemic and we are moving towards eliminating Aids as a public health problem in Senegal,” Dr Safiétou Thiam said. “But what is happening now risks undermining the results of 30 to 35 years of efforts in the fight against the disease.”

Ousmane Sonko, the longtime firebrand opposition leader appointed prime minister in 2024, had told lawmakers the bill would punish what it describes as “acts against nature” with fines of up to 10,000,000 CFA francs ($17,600; £13,000) and prison sentences ranging from five to 10 years, compared with the current one- to five-year terms in the Muslim-majority country.

Several other African countries have also introduced tough new laws against the LGBTQ+ community in recent years.

In September last year, Burkina Faso’s transitional parliament approved a bill banning homosexual acts, following its neighbour Mali in 2024.

In 2023, Uganda voted in some of the world’s harshest anti-homosexual legislation meaning that people engaging in same-sex relationships can be sentenced to death in certain circumstances.

Ghana is also planning to re-introduce an anti-homosexual bill that activists say threatens basic human rights, safety and freedom.