“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," the statement read.
The #NotTooYoungToRun movement has berated Senate President Bukola Saraki for making an official declaration of his presidential bid during its programme.
The movement expressed disappointment that Saraki hijacked the programme to declare his ambition; it clearly distanced itself from the Senate President’s ambition.
A statement by the movement read: “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 and dissociates ourselves from this political move."
The movement reiterated its support for the candidature of young and transformative leadership as means of defending Nigeria's democracy.
“The movement restates its commitment to sustain its engagement with political parties to ensure youth candidacy and democratic party primaries.”
Saraki was invited as a keynote speaker to the town hall meeting between the youth and party leaders.
However, the Senate President, in defence of his action, said he made the announcement in good faith to encourage youths.
“It is true that the Not Too Young To Run leadership had no prior knowledge of the content of the Senate President’s remarks," read a statement issued on his behalf by Yusuph Olaniyonu, his media adviser.
“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.”