Buhari Assures Support For Adesina’s AFDB President Re-Election

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured president of the African Development Bank (AFDB), Akinwunmi Adesina of his support in his re-election bid.

This was made known on Tuesday, shortly after Adesina met with the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Buhari told the AFDB president he supported him in his first term bid, despite serving as a minister under the administration of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“In 2015, when you were to be elected for the first term, I wrote to all African leaders, recommending you for the position. I didn’t say because you were a PDP Minister, and I belonged to the @OfficialAPCNg, so I would withhold my support,” the presidency quoted the president to have said.

Buhari further stated: “Nigeria stands solidly behind @akin_adesina in his re-election bid as President of the African Development Bank (AfDB). We will work with all leaders, and stakeholders in AfDB, to ensure that he re-elected, on the strength of his achievements during this first term.”

After the visit, Adesina took to his official Twitter handle to express gratitude to him. “Adesina Thank you very much Your Excellency President @MBuhari for your unflinching support. I am delighted, humbled and greatly encouraged that the nation, under your leadership, stands solidly with me. I am extremely grateful Sir,” he noted.

Despite threats from the US Treasury calling for his probe over allegations of favouritism, even after the ethics committee of the bank’s board of governors had absolved him of all charges, the path to his re-election now seem very likely with such rousing home support.