Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), has announced that he’s not in the 2023 presidential race.
Some groups had reportedly picked and submitted the presidential forms of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on behalf of the AfDB president.
They acknowledged that Adesina has outstanding qualities needed to address issues battling the country at this critical moment.
Adesina on Tuesday, via a statement said he is not in the presidential race, adding that he remains focused on his 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.”
