The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has replaced Professor Omiete Briggs, the collation officer for Port Harcourt City Local Government Area in Rivers State for the February 25 presidential and national assembly election over alleged to threats to her life.
Following reported cases of threats against her life, Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, announced the replacement of the Collation.
He claims that Dr. Amoniya Briggs, the professor’s husband, has complained that his wife has been the target of death threats because she refused to tamper with or make compromises with the results of the Port Harcourt local government election for the President and National Assembly on February 25.
During the Saturday, March 11, governorship and house of assembly elections, Prof. Briggs was scheduled to continue serving as the local government’s collation officer for Port Harcourt City, but INEC asked her to stop for the sake of her safety.
While speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers state on Monday, March 6, 2023, Dr Lulu-Briggs, had complained that his wife has received series of death threats over her INEC’s assignment.
Recall that during the collation of results of the Presidential and National Assembly elections polls on 27 February, a group of men had besieged the headquarters of INEC, accusing Briggs of manipulating and running away with the Port Harcourt City Local Government election results.
Mrs. Briggs had to be quickly escorted into the INEC premises by armed security operatives who shielded her from being attacked.
After the collation, Peter Obi won the Port Harcourt LG with 62,450 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) garnered 7,203 votes and the All Progressives Congress (APC) 5,562 votes.
During interview with journalists, the husband of Prof Briggs said there had been strange human and vehicular movements around their residence, adding that the threats had spiraled to the university campus where his wife teaches.
“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 center. 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.
INEC Suspends Sokoto’s Resident Electoral Commissioner
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has suspended its resident electoral commissioner, REC, in Sokoto State, Nura Ali, with immediate effect.
The suspension was announced in a letter signed by INEC’s secretary, Rose Orlaran-Anthony, on Monday, March 6, 2023, addressed to both the resident electoral commissioner and the administrative secretary in the state.
According to the letter, Dr Nura Ali has been directed to stay away from the commission’s office in Sokoto State until further notice.
While the reason for the suspension was not explicitly stated, it was gathered that the decision might be connected to the recent allegations of irregularities in the just-concluded election in the state.
Aliyu Kangiwa, the Administrative secretary, has been instructed to take full charge of INEC in Sokoto State.
Bola Tinubu Declared Winner Of Nigeria’s Presidential Election As Opposition Party Vows Challenge
A Nigerian opposition party has said it will launch a legal challenge after Bola Ahmed Tinubu was on Wednesday declared the winner of Nigeria’s controversial presidential elections.
Tinubu, 70, represents the ruling All Progressives Congress party, which received close to 8.8 million votes – about 36.6% of the total, according to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman Mahmood Yakubu.
He defeated vice president Atiku Abubakar of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and a third leading candidate Peter Obi, who gained popularity among young people with his lesser-known Labour Party.
“We won this election as Labour Party, we are going to claim our mandate as Labour Party,” said Datti-Baba Ahmad, the party’s Vice Presidential candidate.
Obi is yet to comment on the official results.
However, Ndi Kato, Labour Party’s presidential campaign spokesperson told CNN on Wednesday: “We are defiant. The elections were rigged.”
In his acceptance speech, Tinubu struck a conciliatory tone, asking his opponents “to team up together.”
“It (Nigeria) is the only nation we have. It is one country, and we must build together. Let’s work together to put broken pieces together,” he said.
Tinubu also thanked voters and said he was “profoundly humbled.”
“This is a shining moment in the life of any man and an affirmation of our democratic existence,” he said. “I represent a promise and with your support, I know that promise will be fulfilled.”
Videos from the capital Abuja showed Tinubu’s supporters cheering and celebrating the win.
Source: Vanguard
