By DAYO ADESULU
AfDB President Sets the Record Straight on Speculations
LAGOS, NIGERIA – February 13, 2025 – Akinwunmi Adesina, the outgoing President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has dismissed media reports linking him to the 2027 Nigerian presidential race.
Following a recent interview on Arise TV, Adesina’s comments sparked widespread speculation, with several media outlets suggesting he hinted at contesting for the presidency. However, he has now come forward to clarify his stance, asserting that his words were misinterpreted and misrepresented.
Media Speculation Over Interview Response
During his interview, Adesina was asked if he would consider running for president of Nigeria after his tenure at AfDB ends. His response, “I will be available to serve in any capacity, globally, in Africa, anywhere—including in my own country, Nigeria,” was widely interpreted as an indication of political ambition.
However, in a tweet on February 13, 2025, Adesina explicitly denied any such intentions.
Adesina’s Clarification on Twitter
Taking to Twitter to address the rumors, Adesina stated:
“A segment of my recent interview on @ARISEtv has been both misinterpreted and misrepresented in several Nigerian media outlets. What I said was, ‘I will be available to serve in any capacity, globally, in Africa, anywhere, including my own country.’
A listen to the substantive and robust interview, which is available online, will show this to be the case. For clarity and for the record, I did not say that I am running for the office of President of Nigeria.”
Previous Speculations on Adesina’s Political Future
This is not the first time Adesina has been linked to the Nigerian presidential race. In 2022, ahead of the 2023 elections, reports surfaced that a support group had purchased and submitted a N100 million All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential nomination form on his behalf. Adesina swiftly dismissed the claims, stating that his responsibilities at AfDB did not allow him to participate in Nigerian politics at the time.
Public Reaction and Political Landscape Ahead of 2027
With Nigeria’s 2027 general elections on the horizon, political realignments and speculations continue to gain momentum. The Labour Party (LP) has already endorsed Peter Obi for president, while other political figures are considering their positions in the upcoming race. Adesina’s firm denial aims to put an end to rumors surrounding his potential candidacy.
Conclusion
As Nigeria gears up for the 2027 elections, Adesina remains committed to his global economic development efforts. While his leadership at AfDB has earned him recognition, he maintains that he has no intention of entering the political arena.
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