President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has said that his use of the platform of the Not Too Young To Run group to announce his entry into the presidential race was done in good faith as a symbolic act of encouragement to young Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, aspirants.
Dr. Saraki was reacting to a statement by the Not Too Young To Run group condemning the Senate President’s seeming hijack of their programme to advance his personal cause, without the knowledge of the leadership or members of the group.
In his reaction, through a statement by Yusuph Olaniyonu, his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) the Senate President admitted that the Not Too Young To Run leadership had no prior knowledge of the content of his remarks, but insisted that it was not his intention “to put the group or its leadership in an invidious position.”
He stressed that he appreciates the contribution of the group to the development of the country’s democracy and “will continue to work closely with young people across the country in order to make Nigeria a better place for all.”
Full text of the statement reads:
OUR RESPONSE TO THE NOT TOO YOUNG TO RUN STATEMENT
It has been brought to our attention that the Not Too Young to Run group have issued a statement in relation to the announcement made by the President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, whilst addressing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members and aspirants of the group.
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.
gned
