Atiku Vs Buhari: Prof. Yakubu Promises To Open Up On Controversy Over INEC Server

Following the controversy hanging around the server of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has promised to address the issue after the Presidential Elections Tribunal.

Recall that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, had dragged President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress before the tribunal.

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party had claimed that the INEC’s server shows that he defeated Buhari in the election.

The chairman of the electoral body has advised 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.

He stated this at the conclusion of a session on the review of the 2019 General Elections with the media in Abuja during the weekend.

“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 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.”