The publisher of Sahara Reporters alleged that INEC had not been conducting elections in the past, but selections.

“They are not ready. That’s the truth,” he said.

The convener of #RevolutionNow called on Nigerians to demand nothing less than a free and fair election from INEC, adding that, “…we have paid for it already and INEC should not come up with any excuse.”

Asked what he would do if he lost the 2023 election as he did in 2019, the AAC standard bearer said there was no election in 2019.

“You cannot lose what was not held. It’s just like going to the World Cup. There are rules for playing in the World Cup, and the day you want to play the final…only one team shows up, because the other team is held up in the preparation room and then they declare a winner, will you call that a final?” he said.

“I was arrested before I could go to court (to challenge the 2019 election), but I wasn’t interested in going to court because I also understand the judiciary, that they’re all in this together.

“It’s the judiciary that made a person a governor in Imo State that participated in an election and was number four,” Sowore added.

The former student union president of the University of Lagos said Nigerians expected an election and not a selection, adding that if the government did not give Nigerians what they wanted, it should not be surprised at the outcome.

Speaking about the 2007 election, Sowore said, “What we want is an election, but we cannot force them (INEC) to conduct an election… The election of President Umar Yar’Adua was a selection. Even he (Yar’Adua) came out to say that the election that produced him was not the type of election that should produce a leader.”

Asked why he was participating in a system he did not believe in, the AAC presidential candidate said it was his right and choice to participate.

“I cannot say because Nigeria is not working and tear my passport. It is my choice to keep it. So, it is my choice to participate,” he said.