Election 2019: I will open up soon on server controversy, says INEC chairman
- The controversy surrounding the INEC server is still a trending topic in Nigeria
- The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, says he will speak on the matter soon
- The INEC boss is of the opinion that since the issue was a matter before the tribunal, he will speak after the final judgement
The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, says he will speak very soon on the server controversy trailing the conduct and outcome of the 2019 general elections.
According to the INEC boss, since the server matter was an issue before the presidential elections tribunal, he will speak after the final judgment on all petitions, The Nation reports.
He, however, asked interested Nigerians to go and read the statements on oath by the petitioners and the defendants to have a full grasp of the issues surrounding the controversial server.
The INEC chairman made the comments at the conclusion of a session on the review of the 2019 polls with the media in Abuja.
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Responding to a question, he said: “In our jurisprudence, you cannot comment on a live matter in court. The matter is subjudice but after the judgment, I will speak on the server issue.
“There are a lot of documents you have not got. There are statements on oath by the petitioners and the defendants. Go and read these statements on oath. It is actually prudent to go back and read the statements.”
In Yakubu’s view, trust in the electoral process is more important than technology.
He added: “In some countries, they will be campaigning till the election day because there is trust. But in Nigeria, we print ballot papers, entrust these ballot papers with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and distribution is always done with heavy security. So, here, it is a question of trust.
“Remember, some people attacked INEC offices in some states during the last elections because of ballot papers and other sensitive materials. Trust is key in any electoral process. The major difference between us and other countries is trust.
“I cannot remember any country in Europe that does electronic voting; they still engage in manual process. Holland tried electronic voting but after 20 years, they reverted to ballot papers.”
Meanwhile, a group, Democracy Vanguard of Nigerians in Diaspora, has written to the United States ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, on its stance concerning the 2019 presidential election.
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In a letter sent to the ambassador and signed by its president, Timothy A. Sule, the group said events prior and during the elections clearly contradicted the promise made by President Muhammadu Buhari and INEC, that the polls will be free and fair.
According to the group, the election was marred by violence and intimidation by the ruling All Progressives Congress.
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