The leader of Nigeria's senate, Bukola Saraki, has been criticised for announcing his intention to run for president at a youth forum on Thursday.

Mr Saraki, 55, was addressing a meeting of the Not Too Young To Run campaign when he said he was answering "the call of teeming youth" who wanted him to become Nigeria's next president in 2019.

The campaign is intended to make it easier for young people to get involved in politics.

It released a statement condemning Mr Saraki's move:

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 dissociate ourselves from this political move."

Mr Saraki hopes to be the candidate for the opposition People's Democratic Party.

He is the most senior politician to announce his intention to challenge President Muhammadu Buhari who is set to run for a second term.