President of African Development Bank (AfDB) Akinwumi Adesina on Tuesday said he remains focused on his duties at the regional bank, shutting the door on calls for him to contest the 2023 presidential election.
Adesina, who recently received honorary doctorates from Duke University and Addis Ababa University, said in a statement that he was deeply honoured for the confidence reposed in him.
“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,” he said.
A coalition of groups comprising youth, women, farmers, physically-challenged and others bought and submitted the presidential forms of the All Progressives Congress worth N100 million on his behalf.
“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,” Adesina noted.
“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.”
