My declaration made in good faith, Saraki replies #Not Too Young to Run

By Chizitelu Munachimso

Dr. Bukola Saraki, President of Nigeria’s Senate has told the #Not Too Young to Run movement that his decision to announce his candidacy for the presidency of Nigeria at their event, was done in good faith.

Saraki on Thursday at the event, one in is a series of political engagement aimed at broadening the political participation of young Nigerians ahead of the elections next February, and titled, “Youth Candidacy and the Future of Nigeria Beyond 2019”, formally announced he would taking a shot at the Presidency of Nigeria.

“I have decided to answer the call of teeming youth who have asked me to run for President. Accordingly, I hereby announce my intention to run for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the coming General Elections in 2019 on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). I do so with the firm conviction that I have what it takes to secure inclusive growth for Nigeria and Nigerians”.

Saraki’s use of their platform to launch his bid for the presidency riled the organisers of the event who issued a statement afterward dissociating themselves from his action.

“The movement wishes to express its disappointment with Senator Saraki for usurping a platform designed for young aspirants to dialogue with party leadership to advance his personal political ambition. We strongly condemn this act by the President of the Senate and dissociates ourselves from this political move,” the organisers said in the statement signed Samson Itodo, its convener.

Saraki in a conciliatory move told the aggrieved group that he meant no harm but was merely encouraging youths intending to run for political office. In a statement issued by Yusuph Olaniyonu, his Media Adviser, Saraki averred:

“It is true that the Not Too Young To Run leadership had no prior knowledge of the content of the Senate President’s remarks. However, the announcement by the Senate President that he intends to throw his hat into the ring to contest for the Presidency was made in good faith to young PDP aspirants, partly as a symbolic act of encouragement.

“It was not the intent of the Senate President to put the group or its leadership in an invidious position”.

He commended the group for its the contribution the development of democracy in Nigeria and promised to continue to work closely with young people across the country in order to make Nigeria a better place for all.

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