The Not-Too-Young-To-Run Movement on Thursday disowned affiliation with President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki’s declaration for the presidency in 2019 election.
In a statement signed by one of the Converners of the group, Mr Samson Itodo, it said that it was displeased with the use of its platform by Saraki to declare his ambition without prior consultation.
“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.”
The group said that as part of efforts to promote youth candidacy and democratic primaries, it had commenced series of public town hall meetings with the leadership of political parties and young aspirants.
According to it, this is to address the challenges faced by young aspirants in securing party tickets.
It said that the movement had scheduled three town hall meetings with the leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties.
It stated that while one of the town hall meetings was going on in Abuja, Saraki declared his intention to run for the office of the President in the 2019 elections.
It restated its commitment to sustain engagement with political parties to ensure youth candidacy and democratic primaries by political parties.
It said that the first dialogue held on Friday in Abuja with the leadership of the PDP, adding that the event was attended by Chairman of the party, Mr Uche Secondus, Saraki and National Youth Leader of the party, Mr Udeh Okoye.
The group disclosed that young aspirants advocated for reduction in the cost of parties’ nomination forms, and requested PDP to uphold internal democracy in the conduct of its primaries.
The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, had on Thursday declared his intention to run for the presidency of the country in the 2019 general elections.
Saraki made the declaration at a dialogue with youths and young aspirants in Abuja on Thursday, and promised an inclusive government for all Nigerians, if elected.
He said that he would ensure that all Nigerians enjoyed “the inalienable right to feel a sense of belonging no matter their background or creed or what part of the country they come from.