News

Rivers: Collation Officer’s Husband Alleges Threat To Wife’s Life For Refusing Result Falsification

Published

3 years ago

March 6, 2023

Dr Amoniia Lulu-Briggs, husband of the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area Collation Officer for the February 25 presidential election, has raised the alarm over continued threats to the life of his wife.

Briggs said his wife, Prof Omiete Briggs, had been receiving several threatening calls and messages after the election from unknown persons for standing by the truth.

Briggs disclosed this while speaking to newsmen at the Nigeria Union of Journalists’ secretariat in Port Harcourt on Monday.

Recall that a group of men had besieged the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission along Aba Road, Port Harcourt, during the collation of results on February 27th, accusing Prof Briggs of manipulating and running away with the PHALGA election results.

According to The PUNCH, the collation Officer was escorted into the INEC premises by armed security operatives who shielded her from being attacked.

Speaking further, Dr Briggs said there had been strange human and vehicular movements around their residence, adding that the threats had spiralled to the university campus where his wife teaches.

He stated, “There has been a viral video, where it emanated from we don’t know but we feel that it was something done within the confines of INEC.

“During the elections, she was under so much pressure to act otherwise. However, because of her belief and her faith, she stood by the results and declared what the people voted for.

“Now, in as much as we thank Nigerians for calling and commending her, on the flip side, there have been so many threats and unknown numbers calling, threatening her left, right and centre.

“She came to serve her country. The purpose of this briefing is to let the security agencies, especially the Inspector General of Police and INEC know what is happening.

“This is a non-politician that was called upon to serve her nation. In serving her nation, what we are seeing now is that there are threats to her life.

“The situation was so unbearable. In the last two days, we have seen unusual movements around our house.

“Last night, our dogs were like crazy. This morning, we saw tinted vehicles moving to and fro. So, I had to move her to a safe abode.”

Continuing, he said, “More disturbing again is even in the university community. We have to call on the university community to protect her because the fillers we have, fellow persons that did not do what she did are now like she is proving to be a righteous person.

“How else can we save this country if we don’t stand by the truth? I came to let Nigerians, the security agencies, and INEC itself know otherwise it will discourage others from rendering such services to the nation.”

While noting that citizens want the country to move forward to secure a better place for our children, he said, “How do we do it when we start compromising our conscience?

“She has stood by the truth. I am very proud of my wife and I think she has done what she is supposed to do.

“If anything happens to my wife, I want the IGP and INEC to know that it was as a result of what came out from this election,” Prof Briggs’ husband said with rage.

PUNCH

News

INEC Accredits 121 Observers For Anambra Governorship Poll

Published

1 hour ago

October 13, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission has accredited 121 domestic and international organisations to observe the Anambra State governorship election.

The development was announced in an advertisement published by the commission in The PUNCH newspaper on Monday.

Accredited foreign observers include the British High Commission, the European Union, and the High Commission of Canada, among others.

On the domestic front, organisations such as Yiaga Africa Initiative, The Electoral Hub, and the Centre for Democracy and Development have been cleared to monitor the exercise.

The observers are expected to assess the conduct of the election and report on its transparency, credibility, and compliance with democratic standards.

INEC had earlier confirmed that 2.8 million voters are registered to participate in the election.

The Anambra governorship poll, one of Nigeria’s off-cycle elections, is set to take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025.

The electoral body has released the final list of candidates and announced the official commencement of campaign activities.

Sixteen political parties met the submission deadline of May 12 and will field candidates in the upcoming election.

News

UPDATED: Renowned Evangelist, Uma Ukpai, Is Dead

Published

3 hours ago

October 13, 2025

Editor

Renowned Nigerian evangelist and spiritual leader of Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai, is dead.

This was confirmed in a statement on Monday by his family, who said he passed away on October 6 2025 at the age of 80.

The family described his passing as a “glorious transition” from a life of devoted service to eternal rest.

Ukpai, widely recognised as a spiritual general and founding father of faith, dedicated over six decades of his life to evangelism, dynamic teaching of the Word, and prophetic demonstrations of God’s power.

His ministry impacted millions of lives in Nigeria and around the world, shaping destinies and nurturing spiritual growth across generations.

“He was a faithful soldier of the cross who devoted his life to spreading the gospel with passion and integrity.

“His teachings, prophetic insights, and mentorship have left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire believers for years to come,” his family said.

Over the course of his ministry, Ukpai became known for his fiery evangelistic campaigns, transformative teachings, and commitment to empowering both clergy and lay leaders.

Beyond his spiritual work, he was also celebrated as a loving husband, devoted father, and mentor to countless individuals who regarded him as a guide in faith and life.

The family expressed gratitude for the life and work of Ukpai, highlighting that while they mourn his physical absence, they rejoice that he has “finished his race and is now resting in eternal praise.”

They assured the public that details of his obsequies would be shared in due course.

Ukpai’s ministry, spanning over sixty years, leaves behind a profound spiritual and social legacy, with churches, educational initiatives, and humanitarian efforts that continue to influence communities globally.

His life, the family said, was a testament to the biblical truth that “to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

News

JUST IN: FG Enforces No-work-no-pay On Striking ASUU Members

Published

4 hours ago

October 13, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors of federal universities across the country to strictly enforce the “no work, no pay” policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities currently participating in the ongoing nationwide strike.

The directive was contained in a circular dated October 13, 2025, and signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, according to The PUNCH.

The circular was copied to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Permanent Secretary of Education, Pro-Chancellors of all federal universities, Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Executive Secretary of the NUC.

According to the circular, the Federal Ministry of Education expressed dissatisfaction over reports of the continued industrial action by ASUU despite repeated calls for dialogue, stressing that government would no longer tolerate non-compliance with extant labour laws.

“In line with the provisions of the Labour Laws of the Federation, the Federal Government reiterates its position on the enforcement of the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy in respect of any employee who fails to discharge his or her official duties during the period of strike action,” the circular reads.

The minister directed all vice-chancellors of federal universities to immediately conduct a roll call and physical headcount of all academic staff in their institutions.

He also instructed them to submit a comprehensive report indicating staff members who are present and performing their official duties, and those absent or participating in the strike.

Alausa further directed that salary payment for the period of work stoppage be withheld from those who fail to perform their duties.

He clarified that members of the Congress of University Academics and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics, who are not part of the strike, are exempted from the directive and will not face any salary deductions.

The minister also tasked the National Universities Commission to monitor compliance with the directive and submit a consolidated report to the ministry within seven days of receiving the circular.

“Please, treat this matter with utmost urgency and a deep sense of responsibility in national interest,” Alausa urged the university heads.

The federal government had threatened to enforce the policy amid the ongoing nationwide strike by the lecturers.

The lecturers on Sunday declared a total and comprehensive warning strike starting from Monday, October 13.

ASUU is currently demanding the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, the release of the withheld three and a half months’ salaries, sustainable funding of public universities, revitalisation of public universities, and cessation of the victimisation of lecturers in LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO.

Others are payment of outstanding 25-35% salary arrears, payment of promotion arrears for over four years and release of withheld third-party deductions (cooperative contributions, union check-off dues).