BENJAMIN OMOIKE
An assumed presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has ended speculations over his ambition by denying interest in contesting for the 2023 presidency.
The President of the African Development Bank was heavily linked with the APC presidential race, after some interested Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, purchased the N100m nomination forms, urging him to run for office.
Adesina instantly denied his association with the person and The Trumpet gathered that it was difficult for them to deliver the form to Adesina. In a letter he personally signed and dated 17th May, 2023, the AfDB boss 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 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.”
