Mr Akinwunmi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has debunked reports that he might be interested in joining the Presidential race.
According to reports, a support group had purchased the N100m All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination form for Adesina last week.
In a statement signed by the Economist himself, he reiterated that he had no intentions of running for office. The statement read,
“While I am deeply honoured, humbled and grateful for all the incredible goodwill, kindness, and confidence, my current responsibilities at this time do not allow me to accept to 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.
“I remain fully focused on the mission of supporting the accelerated development and economic integration of Africa.”
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According to the regulations of the AfDB, the bank’s president cannot compete in elections. The rule book states, “The Bank, its President, Vice Presidents, officers and staff shall not interfere in the political affairs of any member (country); nor shall they be influenced in their decisions by the political character of the member (country) concerned.”
It also states that, “The President, Vice Presidents, officers and staff of the Bank, in discharge of their offices, owe their duty entirely to the Bank and to no other authority.”
Dr Akinwunmi Adesina has been President of the AfDB since 2015, the first Nigerian to occupy the post. He’s also previously served as the Nigerian Minister of Agriculture.
