MY DECLARATION MADE IN GOOD FAITH, SARAKI TELLS NOT TOO YOUNG TO RUN GROUP
The President of the
Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki has said that his declaration for the presidency in
2019 election was made in good faith to young PDP aspirants, partly as a
symbolic act of encouragement. Saraki had on Thursday made his declaration at a
dialogue with youths and young aspirants in Abuja and promised an inclusive
government for all Nigerians, if elected. The Not Too Young to Run group had on
Thursday disowned affiliation with Saraki’s declaration for the presidency in
2019 election. The group said that ‘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 political ambition.
“We strongly condemn this act by the President of the Senate and dissociate
ourselves from this political move. “As noted earlier, the movement reaffirms
its identity as a non-partisan citizen-led movement dedicated to the defense of
democracy, political inclusion and transformative leadership. “The movement
restates its commitment to sustain its engagement with political parties to
ensure youth candidacy and democratic primaries by the parties.” But Saraki in
a statement titled ‘Our Response To The Not Too Young To Run Statement’ signed
by Yusuph Olaniyonu his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) on Friday said
his declaration was ‘not intended to put the group or its leadership in an
invidious position.’ He also said that though the leadership of Not Too Young
To Run had no prior knowledge of the content his remarks his declaration and
intention were ‘made in good faith to young PDP aspirants, partly as a symbolic
act of encouragement.’ The statement read thus It has been brought to our
attention that the Not Too Young to Run group have 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. 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.
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