Obasanjo, Jonathan 13 other ex-African leaders back Akinwumi, called for caution

Following the allegations levelled against Akinwumi Adesina, president of African Development Bank (AfDB), a coalition of 14 former African presidents and a prime minister have urged the US government to respect the governing systems of the AfDB. This was disclosed in a statement made available to Legit.ng on Friday, May 29.

Specifically, they said Akinwumi Adesina, should not be distracted at a time when the continent is battling the COVID-19 pandemic. Ex-leaders who signed the statement include Olusegun Obasanjo, president of Nigeria; 1999-2007, Boni Yayi, president of Benin; 2006-2016, Hailemariam Desalegn, prime minister of Ethiopia; 2012 – 2018, John Kufour, President of Ghana; 2001 – 2009, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, president of Liberia; 2006 – 2018. Joyce Banda President of Malawi; 2012 – 2014. Joaquim Chissano, President of Mozambique; 1986 – 2005, Tandja Mamadou president of Niger; 1999 – 2010, Goodluck Jonathan, president of Nigeria; 2010-2015

Others are Mohamed Marzouki, president of Tunisia; 2011 – 2014, Benjamin Mkapa, President of Tanzania; 1995 – 2005, Ameenah Gurib-Fakin, president of Mauritius; 2015 – 2018, Rupiah Banda, president of Zambia; 2008 – 2011, Kgalema Motlanthe, president of South Africa; 2008-2009, Jakaya Kikwete, President of Tanzania; 2005 – 2015. Meanwhile, Adesina, who was alleged by whistleblowers to have violated the banks’ code of ethics, has declared his innocence of these allegations. Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the former director-general of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Arunma Oteh, declared her support for Adesina. Oteh, a former treasurer and vice president at the World Bank, insists Adesina a former Nigerian minister of agriculture, is a man of integrity and a great leader. “He remains the best man to lead Africa’s great institution for the next 5 years,” she wrote on Twitter. Legit.ng had reported that amid allegations of impropriety levelled against him Adesina the current president of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has denied the claims saying he is innocent

He said: “In spite of unprecedented attempts by some to tarnish my reputation and prejudice the bank’s governance procedures, I maintain my innocence with regard to trumped-up allegations that unjustly seek to impugn my honor and integrity, as well as the reputation of the African Development Bank.