The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied it owns an electronic server used in conducting election.
INEC made the claim on Thursday while responding to the election petition of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate for the election, Atiku Abubakar.
Mr Abubakar and his party are challenging the outcome of the February 23 exercise wherein President Muhammadu Buhari was re-elected for a second term in office.
The opposition candidate who is at the presidential election tribunal is claiming to have won the election based on results allegedly obtained from the electronic servers of the electoral commission.
Initially, INEC responded to the former vice president’s allegation that despite owning an electronic server, the commission did not use it for the this year’s general election.
At the hearing of the petition on Thursday, the petitioners asked for permission to inspect the server of the commission but opposing the demand, legal representatives of INEC at the tribunal claimed the their client does not own an electronic server.
“They are asking us to bring something we do not have,” INEC through its counsel, Yunus Usman, in a counter affidavit asked the court to dismiss the application.
The response of the commission to the application has since generated reactions from Nigerians.
POLITICS TIMES gathered some of the reactions for your perusal. They are reproduced below.
APC Petitioned DSS to arrest PDP Leaders for allegedly hacking INEC server.
Yesterday INEC says they have no server. pic.twitter.com/XUeHjQ890S— If¥™ (@nnekei) June 14, 2019
Ladies and gentleman, here is what INEC server login looks like and yet, INEC denied it has a server – they got N187billion for the election and paid N250million for a server that INEC Chairman is now denying its existence pic.twitter.com/LFSDk58jA5
— Abdul Rasheeth (@Rasheethe) June 13, 2019
https://twitter.com/OlayinkaLere/status/1139284144977063937?s=19
It’s interesting and wonderful to know that INEC has no server or rather ‘serverless’.
— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) June 13, 2019
INEC DENIES ELECTION SERVER THAT THEY USED #212MILLION TO SET UP
What a country— Boyeolumuyiwa I un/FB (@boyeolumuyiwa) June 14, 2019
After dishing out ₦212million for server maintenance, Prof. Yakubu's INEC is telling Nigerians they don't have server…… Biko Prof return our Money, thanks.
Ordinary Lie, you cannot even lie a brilliant lie!!!— Modebolanle (@mode_bolanle) June 13, 2019
Why is INEC fighting so hard against giving access to the Server?
What is hidden in there? #AtikuIsComing #BetterNigeria https://t.co/RsmFiB8zwU
— Atiku-Okowa.com (@Atiku_Okowa_) June 13, 2019
I still insist WAEC, JAMB, NECO are all more competent than INEC. Common server you pipu do not have. Warizdis pic.twitter.com/SdtZ4ODNZK
— ????????. ???????????? (@Feme3020) June 13, 2019
transmit*
— mgbe mno nkiti gini ka imere? (@obulimba1) June 13, 2019
APC once petitioned the Police and DSS, alleging that PDP hacked INEC server, however, INEC claimed today that it does not have any Server. So, dear APC, which INEC server did PDP hack? Btw INEC & APC, who is lying?
This daylight electoral robbery is now too difficult to defend pic.twitter.com/F75vUr3h38
— Dbaba (@PrinzDebola) June 13, 2019
INEC’s continues insistence that it has no servers is befuddling. Several staff (internal and external) are already lined up to testify that their assertion is false, H.E. Atiku’s legal team also has hard evidence to debunk their lie – why does INEC continue to insist otherwise?
— 'Demola Olarewaju (@DemolaRewaju) June 13, 2019
Once it is proven that INEC cannot be trusted, the entire APC defence (which rests on INEC’s truthfulness and impartiality) crumbles and the PEPT will have no option but to order rerun elections at worst.
INEC set itself up by denying a server that thousands of staff know about.
— 'Demola Olarewaju (@DemolaRewaju) June 13, 2019
In April 2019 – No result on INEC’s server – Yakubu
In June 2019 – We don’t have server – Yakubu
“Yakubu fought gallantly”… obviously for his pocket. Facts are threats to those who invest in fraud. ???????? pic.twitter.com/VyNQtvJN75
— Adetutu Balogun, MBA (@Tutsy22) June 13, 2019
In fact, "We don't have server" ????♀️???????? ~ INEC's counsel Usman Yunus SAN tells tribunal
OH my God! Can you believe it?
Me: Where did you send the Smart Card Reader Accredition data? Was it sent to Professor Yakubu Mahmoud's anus? ???????????? pic.twitter.com/87lhvM1byp
— © Captain ????️????️ (@Abba_Jimeta1) June 13, 2019
I see No reason why Inec and APC will be opposing inspection of materials used for elections if they are clean.
If the PEPT allows PDP and its experts inspect the material, they know the truths will be exposed hence the opposition.#AtikuIsComing
— Hamma (@HAHayatu) June 13, 2019
INEC server ko, INEC waiter ni pic.twitter.com/LW9pqE8dt3
— Tolu Ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) June 13, 2019
