By Gom Mirian
Some concerned Abuja residents have expressed displeasure over explanations given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the delay in uploading polling unit results of Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly election results on glitches in its Result Viewing Portal (IRev).
INEC’s Commissioner for Voters Education, Festus Okoye, in a statement on Sunday, said the Commission was aware of the challenges.
He however blamed the challenges on technical hitches, saying sabotage is not responsible for the problems encountered with its results viewing Portal (IReV).
Reacting to this statement on Monday in Abuja, some residents in separate interviews shared their views with African Health Report, AHR.
According to Stanley, a resident of the nation’s capital city, “I personally have an observation with that press release. While noting that the IReV is intact, you didn’t address the fact that there are chances that results which were not uploaded at the polling units may become doctored before they are eventually uploaded. Kindly look into this; you are telling us stories with N305 billion naira.”
Also, Uche Ikechukwu, another Abuja resident, told AHR that he is so disappointed at the commission because he had thought INEC would have done better this time around.
He said, ” There is already disaffection towards INEC, and don’t blame anybody for that. If they announced Tinubu president after evidence showed he clearly lost.
“You will have Nigerians to contend with, and trust me, you don’t want that.”
On his part, Mr. Ola said, “INEC should be ashamed of itself and how they have ridiculed our country. You have four good years to prepare for these general elections. The government provided billions of naira to INEC, yet this is the result we get from you and a dam statement that fixes nothing. We will not tolerate any unverified result.”
Another resident Wole Dede, who also spoke to AHR, said, “INEC cannot be talking about challenges and at the same time be announcing falsified results. What is happening in Lagos State?” he asked.
While David Ben said, “I am not speaking only because of the statement in particular. I am referring to the entire process so far. INEC has in no way convinced Nigerians that this election was free and fair nationwide.”
But Osule Christian is not concerned about whatever has been released by INEC, but all she is saying is that results that Nigerians had worked hard to cast should be genuinely announced.
