President of African Development Bank(AfDB) Dr Akinwumi Adesina has declared he was deeply honoured, humbled and grateful for all the goodwill, kindness, and confidence by those urging him to contest the 2023 presidency.

He regretted that his current responsibilities at the bank would not allow him contest for the presidency.

Adesina, in a statement on Tuesday, said he remains fully engaged and committed to the mission that Nigeria, Africa and all the non-African shareholders of the African Development Bank have given him for Africa’s development.

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 sacrifices, 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. I remain fully engaged and committed to the mission that Nigeria, Africa 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. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God bless Africa.”

A support group of Nigerians in the Diaspora bought and submitted the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential nomination form for Adesina, which he has rejected.

Punch