The N100 million used by a coalition to procure the nomination and expression of interest forms for the President, African Development Bank, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, has gone down the drain following the rejection of same by the former Minister of Agriculture.

The Coalition had procured the nomination and expression of interest forms for Dr Adesina to contest for the office of the Presidenton the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Adesina, in a statement personally signed, a copy of which was obtained by HorizonTimes, while thanking the Coalition for the gesture said his current responsibilities at the Bank would not allow him to accept to be considered for the number one seat in the country.

The statement reads, “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 sacrifice, 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 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.”

Dr Adesina reiterated his commitment to the responsibilities of the African Development Bank, saying he remains focused on the mission of supporting the accelerated development and economic integration of Africa.

“I remain fully engaged and committed to the mission that Nigeria, African 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.”

A coalition of groups including Youth Arise Movement, Nigerians in Diaspora One Nigeria Group, Prudent Youth Association of Nigeria, women groups, farmers, people with disabilities and other civil society groups, had picked the forms on Dr Adesina’s behalf about two weeks ago.

The coalition, headed by Mohammed Saleh of One Nigeria Group, said they raised the N100 million to pay for Adesina’s forms.

It was however reported that the Coalition was unable to present the forms to the former Minister, while Dr Adesina also kept mum on his membership of the APC.

 

See the letter below: