The board of governors of African Development Bank (AfDB) on Thursday reelected Nigeria’s Akinwunmi Adesina as the president of the bank for another term.
“Nigeria’s Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has been re-elected as the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
“With this re-election, he will spend another 5 years supervising the affairs of the Bank,” tweeted a presidential aide, Mr. Bashir Ahmed.
Adesina, who was first elected in May 2015, is the first Nigerian to hold the position.
Adesina, who returned unopposed, formally requested for a second term as AfDB president, saying he was “doing it with an acute sense of duty and commitment. I do it to serve Africa and our bank, in an unbiased way, to the best of the abilities that God has given me.”
His chances of returning were almost scuttled a few months ago when the United States authorities insisted that he must be investigated for corruption claims made by a whistleblower.
Adesina, 60, who denied any wrong doing was cleared of controversial corruption charges after facing questions from an independent panel of experts, headed by former Irish president Ms Mary Robinson, alongside Gambia’s Chief Justice Hassan Jallow and the World Bank’s integrity vice president Leonard McCarthy.
“The Panel concurs with the Committee in its findings in respect of all the allegations against the President and finds that they were properly considered and dismissed by the Committee,” it said.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari congratulated Dr Adesina on his re-election for a second term in office saying he deserves it.
Presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina said in a statement that the news of Adesina’s triumph came during the council of state meeting, which was attended by former heads of state, presidents of the senate, state governors, some ministers, and senior government officials.
The statement entitled ‘President Buhari congratulates AfDB President, Akinwunmi Adesina on re-election, leads round of applause at council of state meeting’ reads: “As secretary to government of the federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, announced the good news, President Buhari led a round of applause, and declared: ‘He deserves it.’
“The president extends appreciation to the African Union for its endorsement of the AfDB President much earlier, and to shareholders of the bank who worked tirelessly to ensure the return of the visionary leader.
“President Buhari believes Dr Adesina’s versatility, experience at both national and international engagements, will be further deployed to energize the pan-African financial institution, urging him to remain focused and steadfast in pursuing the noble goals of making life better for Africans through various development plans, already captured as High 5s.
“The president rejoices with family, friends and professional colleagues of Dr Adesina over the re-election, while commending members of staff and board of governors of the AfDB for their consistent support for the former Nigerian minister of agriculture and rural development, and his management team.
“While pledging full support of his government to ensure a successful tenure for the AfDB leadership, President Buhari prays that the Almighty God will continue to strengthen Dr Adesina and his team for greater good to the continent.”
