Adesina Thanks Buhari For Support During AfDB Presidency Campaigns

The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, on Thursday expressed his gratitude to former President Muhammadu Buhari for the unwavering support he received during his election and re-election campaigns for the AfDB presidency.

Adesina made the remarks during a visit to Buhari’s residence in Kaduna. The primary purpose of the visit was to personally thank Buhari for his steadfast backing throughout the challenging election processes that saw him rise to the position of AfDB president.

Naijaonpoint reports that he acknowledged that while his initial nomination for the AfDB presidency came from former President Goodluck Jonathan, it was Buhari’s strong and consistent support that played a pivotal role in his eventual success.

“He strongly stood by me in difficult times, which ensured my re-election. Thank you, Sir,” Adesina said, reflecting on the importance of Buhari’s backing.

The AfDB president recounted how, during his campaign in one of the countries for his initial election, he faced the challenge of Jonathan leaving office.

He described himself as a “stranded candidate” at the time and arranged to meet with then-incoming President Buhari.

Buhari, in turn, remembered his first encounter with Adesina and praised his career and integrity. Despite Adesina’s affiliation with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Buhari pledged his support, stating, “I always look at people as Nigerians, and if they need assistance, I support them on their merit.”

Buhari’s support, Adesina said, was crucial during both his initial bid and re-election as AfDB president in 2020.

In addition to thanking Buhari for his personal support, Adesina also briefed him on the launch of the Kaduna special agro-industrial processing zones (SAPZ) initiative, a flagship programme of the AfDB under his leadership.

Buhari congratulated Adesina on the success of the initiative, recognizing its importance for the economic development of the region.

Adesina is set to conclude his tenure as AfDB president by September 2025, having overseen several impactful projects aimed at enhancing Africa’s economic growth and development.