By Kingston Magare
African Development Bank, AfDB outgoing president, Akinwumi Adesina, has dropped a hint he might contest in the 2027 Nigerian presidential elections if the opportunity arises.
Speaking on Arise TV Mr. Adesina whose tenure as AfDB president expires this year having served two terms from 2015, said he would be available, and he would be seen in the political land scape.
“Yeah, you know, I remember one of those songs that I actually like in Nigeria is by my great singer, pop artist, Davido. And I think that song was, ‘I’m unavailable, dem no dey see me. I am unavailable.’
“So, 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’ll be available to serve in God’s hands for anything that God has in store for my life.”
Adeshina, 63, served as Minister of Agriculture during President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, he said he is committed to make a change in the lives of Nigerians.
“Look, the only thing that makes me happy is nothing else than seeing the lives of people transform and change—that’s what gives me satisfaction. And so, as a result of that, you know, I will be available to serve in any capacity, globally, in Africa, anywhere, including my own country,” said Adeshina.
During his tenure as AfDB, Adeshina known to colleague as “Africa’s Optimist-in-Chief,” the continental bank achieved the highest capital increase since its establishment in 1964 when on 31 October 2019, shareholders from 80 member countries raised the general capital from $93 billion to a historic $208 billion.
