2023: Thanks, but no! says AfDB President, Adesina
Nigerian-born President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has politely declined the offer by some Nigerians who bought him Expression of Interest and Presidential Nomination forms to contest the seat of President on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement, Adesina cited his current responsibilities as the AfDB President as reason for not putting himself out to contest Nigeria’s most-coveted position.
With Adesina’s withdrawal, there are about 26 presidential aspirants now left. Two ministers: Dr. Chris Ngige (Labour and Employment), Chief Timipre Sylva (Petroleum Resources) have already withdrawn their interest in the presidency, only after a farewell meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
There are already speculations that others may not show up for the APC Presidential screening slated for next week.
One of such men is former President Goodluck Jonathan, who said it was an insult for a group of herdsmen and almajiri to purchase nomination forms for him.
The full text of Dr. Adesina’s statement reads:
May 17, 2022
Statement by Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, President, African Development Bank
I have been extremely humbled by several calls from Nigerians at home and abroad that I should consider running for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
I am very touched by all who have gone to great extent, with such huge sacrifices, of their own volition, to consider me worthy to be proposed for potential consideration. The coatiton groups of youth, women, Farmers, physically challenged and well-meaning Nigerians that have done this have expressed their genuine free will, political right, freedom of expression and association for my consideration, with the interest of Nigeria at heart.
While | am deeply honored, humbled and grateful for the incredible goodwill, kindness, and confidence, my current responsibilities at this time do not allow me to accept to be considered.
I remain fully engaged and committed to the mission that Nigeria, Africa and all the non-African shareholders of the African Development Bank have given me for Africa’s development.
| remain fully focused to the mission of supporting the accelerated integration of Africa.
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God bless Africa.
Dr. Akinwumi Adesina