The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sokoto State chapter on Saturday re-elected its Chairman, Alhaji Bello Goronyo, along with other executive members to lead the party’s affairs for the next four years. The election, which was endorsed by the delegates from the state’s 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs), took place in the presence of party stakeholders and officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Announcing the results, Alhaji Mukhtar Muhammad, Chairman of the State Delegates’ Congress, described the election as free, fair, and credible. “I testify that the election was conducted without any rancor, in full compliance with the law,” Muhammad stated, expressing appreciation to the delegates for their commitment to the exercise. According to Muhammad, Goronyo and 39 other executives were duly elected by 2,567 delegates from the 23 LGAs. In his remarks, Sen. Aminu Tambuwal (PDP-Sokoto South), leader of PDP in state, commended the delegates, INEC, and stakeholders for the smooth conduct of the exercise. Tambuwal, the immediate past Governor of the state, pledged support to the newly elected executives. “I assure you that PDP members will continue to work as one family to support your efforts and ensure the party’s success in the 2027 general elections. “The task ahead is critical, and we must continue striving to achieve our goals,” he said. Tambuwal emphasised the need for unity among the stakeholders, saying that addressing the country’s challenges, particularly insecurity and economic hardship, requires collective action. Goronyo, in his acceptance speech, acknowledged the significance of the mandate and expressed his commitment to reclaiming both the state and the country for the PDP. “We are honoured by the confidence placed in us, and we will work closely with all party members and stakeholders to ensure PDP’s success across the state,” he said.Goronyo disclosed that new strategies would be adopted to foster an all-inclusive participation. Some of the returned executive members included: Aliyu Muhammad (Deputy Chairman) and Abubakar Zaki (Secretary).Others were: Muhammad Dangwaggo (Vice Chairman, Sokoto Central), Sule Magaji (Vice Chairman, Sokoto South), and Hassan Rabah (Vice Chairman, Sokoto East). Other elected officers wree: Yahaya Ibrahim (Treasurer), Nasiru Yahaya (Financial Secretary), Hassan Sanyinnawal (Public Relations Officer), and Chika Shuni (Organising Secretary). The positions of Legal Adviser, Women Leader, Youth Leader, and Auditor were also filled by Abdulrahman Abubakar, Zainab Naseer, Mustapha Binji, and Nasiru Kware, respectively. (NAN)

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed an ongoing investigation into allegations surrounding convicted cross dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky’s accommodation, with findings pending.Abubakar Umar, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO) disclosed this in an interview on Sunday in Abuja.

Umar also highlighted the service’s commitment to rehabilitation and safety through its comprehensive inmate admission process. According to reports Bobrisky was convicted for mutilating the naira in April and was sentenced to six months in jail.NAN also reports that Mr Vincent Otse, social media influencer and human rights activist known as Very Dark Man (VDM) published an audio recording which captured Bobrisky allegedly saying that he spent his jail term in a private apartment.The audio also captured Bobrisky allegedly saying that he paid N15 million to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials to drop charges of money laundering against him.Meanwhile, the Federal Government, On Monday, Sept. 30, inaugurated an independent investigative panel to prove allegations of corruption and gross violations of standard operating procedures within the NCoS.The Minister Of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who inaugurated the committee said that the committee must also look at the recent allegations that some correctional service personnel had provided alternative accomodation for Bobrisky.Umar, however, explained that inmates undergo comprehensive assessments to determine security risks, needs, and responsivity issues when brought to custodial centres.According to him, the admission board evaluates each inmate to ensure safe housing and effective rehabilitation.Umar who, outlined the service’s rigorous admission process for inmates, added that adherence to human rights principles through the approach was also paramount.“Well, upon conviction of every offender from court, either awaiting trial or convicted, once they are brought to our facility, there is a process they go through before and during admission.“Let me say during admission, there is what we call admission board, which comprises the officer in charge, the second in command, the medical officer in charge of the custodial center, the record officer and other relevant officers.“They will go through the information contained therein in the warrants, also, before he will be allocated cell, there is what we call, determination of security.“Determination of security refers to one’s risk assessment. The person risks self harm, safety of other inmate and officers. We also have what we call needs assessment, which is focused on criminogenic need areas.“These are behaviours that may cause, criminal behavioural and other criminological needs.These are the things that we look into before an inmate is allocated cell.“Furthermore, we also look at what we refer to as responsivity issues. There are things that can affect his participation in intervention or make it difficult for him to adjust to custodial life.“So, having worked all this in, then it will be determined which cell such inmates will be allocated to,”he maintained.According to Umar, during Bobrisky’s court appearance and subsequent admission to our facility, he was asked to declare his gender and he identified himself as male, but do not forget that, there are some other features that are on him.“So because of those determination, I mean, what I refer to as classification and also determination of security of the custodial center, he was given an appropriate cell where he was kept.“This is to also ensure that, he is not under threat within our custodial centers and he is kept safe also.“Well, one thing I want to say here is that, the Minister of interior, has set up a committee to investigate the said alleged Bobrisky staying outside our custodial center.“So until the determination of such or the outcome of such investigations, I think we should let it rest.“I am only telling you that once an inmate or people are convicted, or are brought to our custodial centres, we have a standard of treatment to them during admission.“They will be put through checks and these checks guide us on determination of security of such person both to the person and to the custodial center.“But as to whether he was kept in our custodial facilities or he was kept outside the facility, until the determination of the outcome of the investigation on the allegations, I won’t be able to speak further on that,”he maintained.(NAN)

The Action Peoples Party (APP) in Rivers has swept 22 of the 23 Chairmanship positions contested in Saturday’s Local Government Elections.The Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli, described the elections as free and fair.Announcing the results, Enebeli said that the winners secured two-third majority votes in their respective wards across the 23 Local Government Areas (LGA) in the state.

“Results for 19 Wards in Etche LGA are still being collated, while the results for the 319 councillorship positions across the 23 LGAs will be announced in due course,” he said. Enebeli further said that elections were conducted in all the 6,866 units in 319 Wards, with 18 of the 19 political parties participating.“The elections, which concluded at 3 p.m., recorded a significant voter turnout, with many defying the rain to cast their ballots,” he said.He commended the political parties and residents for their dedication to ensuring a smooth election process.The RSIEC boss declared those who polled the highest number of votes duly elected Chairmen of their respective LGAs.The list of the successful Chairmen included Vincent Obu (Abua/Odual), Chibudom Ezu (Ahoada-East), Iyekor Ikporo (Ahoada-West), Mrs Tonye Briggs-Oniyide (Akuku-Toru), Lazarus Nteogwuile (Andoni), and Dr Sule Amachree (Asari-Toru).Others were Dame Anengi Barasua (Bonny), Dr Harry Agiriye (Degema), Chief Brain Gokpa (Eleme), David Omereji (Emohua), Monday Dumiye (Gokana), and Isreal Abosi (Ikwerre).Also declared winners were Martins Nwigbo (Khana), Chijioke Ihunwo (Obio/Akpor), and Isaac Umejuru (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Ishmael Oforibika (Ogu/Bolo), Igwe Achese (Okrika), and Promise Reginald (Omuma).The rest were Enyiada Cookey-Gam (Opobo/Nkoro), Gift Okere (Oyibo), Ezebunwo Ichemati (Port Harcourt) and Matthew Dike (Tai).The declaration of the results was witnessed by agents of the 18 political parties, members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and civil society groups, among others. (NAN)