Buhari Begs Nigerian Youths Not To Run Against Him In 2019, Signs Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill

By Sunday Okobi with agency report

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday appealed to Nigerian youths to postpone their presidential ambitions till after 2019.

He stated this at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, when he signed the ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Bill into law.

According to him, “Your focus and contributions have now successfully increased the quality and maturity of Nigerian democracy and expanded the playing field for youth participation in politics.

“You, the young people of Nigeria, are now set to leave your mark on the political space, just as you have done over the decades in entrepreneurship, sports, art, media entertainment, technology, and several other fields."

According to NAN, the President had promised to give assent to the bill while addressing the country last Tuesday in a live broadcast in Abuja.

“In (a) few days to come, I will be joined by many promising young Nigerians to sign into law the ‘Not Too Young To Run’ bill,” he had said in his Democracy Day’s speech.

The ‘Not Too Young To Run’ bill, passed by both Senate and the House of Representatives in 2017, seeks a reduction in the age limit for presidential candidates from 40 to 35, as well as state governors and senators from 35 to 30 and state assembly members from 30 to 25.

Addressing a gathering of youths who witnessed the signing of the bill, Buhari said: “You are undoubtedly Nigeria’s most important resource – not oil, not agriculture, not solid minerals – but you and all of us. Your energy, intelligence and talent are what will drive and develop Nigeria, long after we are all gone.

“This is an opportunity for me to affirm that this administration will continue to do everything in its power to make Nigeria work for you.

“I am confident each one of you will transform Nigeria in your own way – whether through media, agricultural enterprise, economists, engineers, or as lawmakers in your States or at Federal levels, or as State Governors – and even someday, as President. Why not?

“But please, can I ask you to postpone your campaigns till after the 2019 elections!”