I backed Adesina for AfDB job for his competence, says Buhari 

…Adesina thanks Buhari for being his Supporter-in-Chief, and his Defender-in-Chief

President Muhammadu Buhari said on Thursday that he staked his integrity and Nigeria’s corporate image to support Dr Akinwumi Adesina as the President of African Development Bank (AfDB) because he had proved to be competent and made the country proud.

“You proved to be competent, you made us proud, and I recommended you the second time,’’ he said when he received at State House, Abuja, the re-elected President of AfDB.

“I have told so many people why I backed you. In 2015, at your first term, you were a Minister with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) government, and I was of the All Progressives Congress (APC). But you are a good Nigerian. So I recommended you the first time.’’

Persecondnews recalls that Adesina, who was inaugurated for a second term of five years as AfDB President on September 1, 2020, had overcome stiff opposition last month to win an unprecedented 100 per cent votes from the regionals and non-regionals that make up the bank.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the president said Adesina’s competence and being a good Nigerian notwithstanding the fact that they both belong to different political parties, were some of the reasons for supporting him in 2015.

“I congratulate you on your second and final term in office. Congratulations on winning the election. Nothing succeeds like success,’’ Buhari told the visitor.

The President commended Adesina for his support for Africa in general, and Nigeria in particular, stressing that the infrastructural deficits of the country in roads, rail, power, could not have been surmounted without the bank’s support.

“There can’t be sustainable development without infrastructure. Our efforts should be seen in the context of lack of resources, but you do your best to support us. I wish you all the best in your final term.”

In his response, Adesina thanked Buhari and the people for their support, saying he was proud to be a citizen of the country.

“Home is where dreams are born. Home is where nurturing is provided. It is where support is given for realization of dreams. I am glad to belong here,” he said.

“When I came in June, you received me, and I shared my successes, and the difficulties facing me. You listened, and said you would stand by me. And you did. You not only stood behind me, but also beside me. No greater honour for a man than for his Commander-in-Chief to be his Supporter-in-Chief, and his Defender-in-Chief.

“Nigeria gave me air when I badly needed it in my lungs,” he said, promising to always support the country in his private capacity and as AfDB President.