The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jigawa State has taken disciplinary action against one of its own, Saleh Idris, the party’s chairman in Roni Local Government Area, in response to allegations of sexual assault involving his 14-year-old housemaid. The decision was announced through an official statement signed by the State Chairman, Aminu Sani Gumel.
A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Dutse, the state capital, had taken custody of Idris in light of the serious allegations. The allegations emerged after Idris was arrested on October 4 by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, following a complaint made by the victim’s brother.
The NSCDC’s spokesperson in the state, Adamu Shehu, also corroborated these claims by confirming, via a statement, that a laboratory test had determined the minor to be carrying a “healthy pregnancy of about four months and two weeks.”
The APC’s official statement outlined the party’s response to this distressing situation: “Following the allegation of rape and impregnation of a minor and the preliminary investigation conducted by the state chapter, the party has reached the following conclusions:
The actions taken by you contravene Section 21.2 (viii) and (x) of the APC 2022 Constitution, as amended.
There is a necessity for further investigations on this matter.”
Consequently, Saleh Idris has been suspended from his position as chairman of the APC in Roni Local Government Area, pending the final report of the ongoing investigation. As part of this decision, he has been instructed to transfer the responsibilities of his position to the local government area’s vice chairman.
