AfDB boss Adesina drops hints of Aso Rock run after declining in 2023
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
African Development Bank (AfDB) President Akinwumi Adesina says he is ready to serve Nigeria and Africa in any capacity after his tenure at the bank expires in the second half of this year.
Discerning observers interpret this to mean he may run for Aso Rock in 2027 which he declined to do in 2023.
Expectation was so high and widespread for him to contest for Nigeria’s presidency in 2023 that he had to issue a statement to clarify that he could not do so at the time because he enjoyed his job and AfDB rules did not permit him to go into politics.
Adesina, who served as Agriculture Minister in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, was first elected as the 8th President of AfDB on 28 May 2015, he later won a second and final term which he will complete in 2025.
“Look, the only thing that makes me happy is nothing else than seeing the lives of people transform. That is what gives me satisfaction. As a result, I will be available to serve in any capacity, globally, in Africa, anywhere, including my own country,” Adesina explained on Arise Television when asked about his plans post-AfDB.
Pressed on whether he would run for President of Nigeria, he said: “One of the things that I am grateful for as a Nigerian: many, many years ago, when I was in graduate school in Nigeria, even after that, I had an opportunity to obtain a United States visa.
“I was given a great visa, and I could have obtained US citizenship. But I rejected it, not because I don’t like America. My kids are Americans; they were born there. I remember telling a colleague of mine that this passport is a Nigerian passport, a green passport, that I cannot and will never trade it for anything.
“It gives me a lot of grief wherever I go with family, my kids are probably asked to go right through, and I am asked to stay behind. They ask you all kinds of funny questions, where were you born, when do you hope to die? They ask any kind of question, just to make sure that you don’t get it.”
Adesina reiterated that God did not make a mistake in making him a Nigerian or an African.
“I will live as a Nigerian, and I will walk by the special grace of God. But that passport, that green passport, will be respected just like everyone else in the world.
“You don’t beg for respect. You earn respect. So, on what I will do after [my tenure as AfDB president], I always believe in divine providence, the grace of God. I don’t see myself as more than just an instrument in the hands of God to help people.”
Adesina referred to Davido’s song, “I’m unavailable, dem no dey see me,” stressing: “But in the case where it comes to service of any kind, I would ask Davido to change that song, ‘I am available, they will see me.’
“I will. I will be available to serve in God’s hands for anything that God has in store for my life.”
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