The President of the African Development Bank, AFDB, Akinwumi Adesina has cleared the air that he is not running for president in the 2023 general election. Adesina made this declaration today in Abuja, saying rather he was more interested in supporting the accelerated development of the country through the economic integration in Africa. There were speculations and calls in the last two weeks seeking the consent of Mr. Adesina to join in the political race of running for the presidency of Nigeria come 2023.
The financial development guru 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.
He said he is touched and has appreciated all those that went out of their way by trusting in his capacity through huge sacrifices on their own by calling him to come and contest.
He added, “The coalition groups of youth, women, farmers, physically challenged and well-meaning Nigerians that have done this have expressed their genuine free will.
According to him, the group has made their political interest known through expressing their freedom of expression and association for finding him worthy with the Nigerian interest at heart.
Adesina continued, “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 AfDB have given me for Africa’s development,’’
Meanwhile, NAN reports that there have been reports in some sections of the media that Mr. Adesina will join the 2023 presidential race.
