2023: Adesina Rejects Calls To Contest For President

African Development Bank (AFDB) President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has said he can’t run for position of president in the 2023 election.

In the last one week, there have been reports that the AFDB president has joined the race for the presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

A support group had reportedly purchased and submitted the N100m Presidential nomination form on his behalf last week. 

But Adesina in a statement on Tuesday said he can’t contest for the position now given his responsibility at the AFDB.

He thanked all individuals and groups who have been calling on him to run for considering him worthy to serve the country.

The statement reads, “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 coalition 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 I am deeply honored, humbled and grateful for all 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.”

The AFDB president who is also a former minister of agriculture in Nigeria, said he “remain fully focused on the mission of supporting the accelerated development and economic integration of Africa.”