The President of the African Development Bank, Akinwunmi Adesina, has confirmed that he will not be contesting the Presidency of Nigeria.
Premium Politics reported that the AfDB’s regulations bar Adesina and other top officials from participating in active politics in their home countries or elsewhere.
However, Adesina confirmed his exclusion from the race to replace the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari(retd) in a statement released by his office.
He said, “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 a 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 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 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.
“I remain fully focused on the mission of supporting the accelerated development and economic integration of Africa. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God bless Africa.”
