Ahead of the 2023 general elections, former Senate President Bukola Saraki has faulted President Muhammadu Buhari for considering an amendment to the Electoral Act.
Speaking at the meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youths comprising of zonal and state youth leaders in Abuja, the former Governor of Kwara state said he disagrees with the President’s quest to amend the section of the act that bars political appointees from contesting while still in office.
He said: “I disagree with that. (Buhari’s request for amendment) I mean, why should someone be in political office use the influence of political office to contest? We talked about participation of youth? What chance does the young Nigeria have to contest with somebody who’s sitting in public office; has access to power, influence; has access to funds of government?
“If you want to contest, for heaven’s sake, go out, resign and go and contest? Why would you stay in political office? It’s even wrong for us to be debating it. It is so selfish. If you truly want to represent this country, why do you have to remain in political office? Step out and contest. And if we are talking about youths, we’re talking about people having an opportunity.
“What chance does a 25 year old young man or woman have against somebody who’s a Director in a government agency? We should not encourage things like that. What we should do is let us ensure more people come out.”
He also called on the youths to mobilize themselves and work for the success of the PDP in the coming elections, adding they are about 18M youths that are yet to register to vote during the election and called on the youth leaders to mobilize them for the polls.
