‘Not Too Young To Run’ movement distances self from Saraki’s declaration

The Not Too Young To Run movement has distanced itself from the presidential declaration of Senate President Bukola Saraki.

On Thursday, Saraki announced to run for office at an event the movement organised for young aspirants.

The movement said it is seeking to address the challenges faced by young aspirants in securing tickets of political parties.

But in a statement, the movement said it was disappointed with Saraki for using the event to advance his ambition.

“As part of efforts to promote youth candidacy and democratic party primaries, the Not Too Young To Run movement commenced a series of public town hall meetings with the leadership of political parties and young aspirants to address the challenges faced by young aspirants in securing party tickets,” the statement read.

“The movement scheduled three town hall meetings with the leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC); Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties. The first dialogue held today August 30, 2018 in Abuja with the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“The event had in attendance the chairman of the party Mr. Uche Secondus; Senator Bukola Saraki, Hon. Udeh Okoye, national youth leader of the party. The event also was attended by young aspirants registered under the Ready To Run platform.

“The young aspirants advocated a reduction in the cost of party nomination forms and requested the party to uphold internal democracy in the conduct of party primaries. In his response, the chairman of the PDP assured the young aspirants of their support for youth candidacy in the forthcoming primaries.

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

The movement said it is a non-partisan citizen led movement dedicated to the defence of democracy, political inclusion and transformative leadership.