Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), has distanced himself from the 2023 Presidential race.
Ahead of the 2023 elections, Adesina had been urged to join the presidential race.
Some groups had reportedly purchased and submitted the nomination form of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on behalf of the AfDB president.
They said Adesina has outstanding qualities needed at the critical moment to address the myriad of problems confronting Nigeria as a nation.
But in a statement on Tuesday, Adesina said he is not running for president, adding that he remains focused on this job at AfDB.
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. 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.”
Adesina has served as the Vice President, Policy and Partnerships, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA); President of the African Association of Agricultural Economists;
He has also worked with African Heads of State and Ministers of Finance, leaders in the commercial banking industry and Central Bank Governors across several African countries, as well as Senior Economist and Social Science Coordinator for the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture.
