Akinwumi Adesina says can’t join presidential race now

The President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has disqualified himself from the race for Nigeria’s presidency in 2023.

Adesina said he was “deeply honoured, humbled and grateful” for the calls by some Nigerians for him to join the presidential race, to the extent that a group bought the presidential nomination and expression of interest forms of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for him.

“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,” he said in a statement he issued and signed, dated May 17, 2022.

Adesina said he remained “fully focused on the mission of supporting the accelerated development and economic integration of Africa” in his current job as AfDB President.

Below, is his full statement.