'Why I Declined to Vie for the Nigerian Presidency,' Dr Adesina Akinwumi, AFDB President

The name of Dr Adesina Akinwumi, the AFDB President, an agricultural economist and former Minister for Agriculture had been mentioned by various groups in Nigeria asking him to join the already crowded race.

But the two-time AFDB President turned down those calls telling Citizen Digital whilst in Nairobi recently that service to Africa is his biggest priority at the moment.

“I always think of my life as only useful to the extent to which it is used to serve others. Apart from that, it has no other use. Whatever sphere I find myself, it is really about service. I am serving Africa. I am enjoying what I am doing,” he said.

Dr Adesina even had to issue a formal press statement last month through the AFDB channels thanking, “coalition groups of youth, women, farmers, physically challenged and well-meaning Nigerians” who have approached him to vie for the top seat. 

A coalition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had reportedly raised about Ksh.20 million (N100 million) to buy the nomination forms for the incumbent AfDB president.

“There is time for everything under the sun. I am humbled by all of what I hear. But I have a job to do and I will focus on that for now.”

Dr Adesina is currently in his second tenure as President of the AfDB. He was re-elected to the position on August 27, 2020 during the bank’s 55th Annual Meetings.

Africa’s most populous country with 180 million people, plans to hold the presidential election on February 25, 2023 with veteran politicians including Goodluck Jonathan throwing their hat into the ring.