Saraki reacts to claims by ‘Not Too Young To Run’ members on hijacking their platform

Nigeria’s Senate President Bukola Saraki, has reacted to claims by members of the ‘Not Too Young To Run’ campaign, on hijacking their platform to announce his presidency.

 

The ‘Not Too Young To Run’ group in a statement they released had stated that they felt disappointed that Bukola Saraki declared his intention to run at an event organised for young political aspirants.

 

However reacting to the claims, Saraki who appreciated the contribution of movement to the development of the country’s democracy, further promised to work closely with young people for the good of the country.

Speaking through Yusuph Olaniyonu, his special adviser on media, Senate President Bukola Saraki said;

“It has been brought to our attention that the Not Too Young to Run group has issued a statement in relation to the announcement made by the president of the senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, whilst addressing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members and aspirants of the group,” he said in a statement.

“The occasion was first in a series of dialogues organised by the Not Too Young To Run along Party lines. The first one is for young PDP aspirants. The subsequent ones are designed for the APC and other parties.

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. The senate president appreciates the contribution of the group to the development of our democracy and will continue to work closely with young people across the country in order to make Nigeria a better place for all.”