Afenifere leader says he’s ready for jail over 2019 presidential election

A factional Leader of Afenifere has insisted that he would not recognise President Muhammadu Buhari as the winner of the February 2019 Presidential Election.

Reacting to a call by the National Democratic Front (NDF) that he be arrested for treason, Pa Ayo Adebanjo said that he stands by his earlier statement and was ready to be arrested.

Adebanjo had described the 2019 presidential election ‘as a joke’, saying he could not recognise Buhari, who was declared winner of the election, as president-elect.

“We have evidence that the election was rigged, let the court decide otherwise. That is all I am saying,” an online news portal quoted him as saying.

“The constitution provides that if you are not satisfied with the outcome of the election, go to the tribunal and don’t resort to violence.

“It is only when the court decides that he won, that is when I will recognise him.

“If to them, that is an offence, then I am ready to go to prison. By my pronouncement, I have not said anything illegal or unconstitutional.

“Right now, Buhari is the president declared by INEC, and not the person that won the election, and the constitution says if you are not satisfied by that declaration, go to the tribunal.

“I will only recognise him if the court rules that he is the rightful winner. That is my position and if it is an offence to follow what the constitution says, then I am ready to go to prison,” he said.