The Senate President Bukola Saraki has responded to the Not Too Young To Run group who said he hijacked their event to make his presidential declaration.
He stated in a statement by Yusuph Olaniyonu, his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) that his announcement was made in good faith, and partly as a symbolic act of encouragement.
The group had soon after Saraki’s announcement, issued a statement in which they condemned 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.
However, Saraki In his response, said, “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”.
