2019: Saraki off to a shaky start as Not Too Young To Run condemns him for hijacking its event

The Not Too Young To Run movement has condemned Senate President Bukola Saraki for seizing their platform to officially declare joining the presidential race.

The group said it had only invited Saraki and other chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party to a town hall meeting as part of efforts to ensure that youths are afforded some concessions by political parties ahead of the 2019 general elections.

It said it was shocked when Saraki usurped the platform to declare his presidential bid, and went ahead to “strongly condemn” him.

The statement read in part, “Whilst addressing participants at the town hall meeting, Senator Saraki declared his intention to run for the office of the President in the 2019 elections.

Read also: It’s now official! Saraki to ‘fight’ Buhari for presidency seat (Video)

“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.

“The movement restates its commitment to sustain its engagement with political parties to ensure youth candidacy and democratic party primaries.

“As noted earlier, the movement reaffirms its identity as a non-partisan citizen-led movement dedicated to the defence of democracy, political inclusion and transforming leadership.”

According to the group, the young aspirants advocated a reduction in the cost of party nomination forms and requested that the party uphold internal democracy in the conduct of primaries.

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now