President Muhammadu Buhari says
his decision to back Akinwunmi Adesina to emerge president of the African
Development Bank (AfDB) is an indication that he belongs to everybody.
During his inauguration on May
29, 2015, Buhari had said “I belong to everybody and nobody” but his critics
have said his appointments do not reflect the statement.
Adesina, who is the first
Nigerian to head the continental bank, served as a minister in the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP)-led government.
According to Buhari, he did not
consider Adesina’s ties to the former ruling party when he recommended him for
the AfDB job.
While interacting with the
Nigerian community in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on Tuesday, he said: “The
President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), who forgot to mention that he
was serving in the PDP government as minister but all the same I picked him and
recommended him for AfDB.
“I think it emphasised what I
said during my swearing in that I’m for everybody, I’m for nobody. As long as
you are a Nigerian be prepared to be on the receiving end from me.”
Adesina had earlier expressed
gratitude to Buhari for backing him to get the position. He said Nigeria’s
economy gained momentum after the president’s health improved.
“Mr President as you must have
noticed, there is a very strong correlation between your health and the economy
and when you came back the economy picked up after that. So we wish you great
health so that the economy can continue to pick,” he said.
“I also want to congratulate you
for the economic growth and recovery plan that you have put in place and the
incredible plan that you have put in place to bring the economy out of
recession and also in terms of the fact that Nigeria has moved up in the World
Bank ease of doing business index.
“I also want to thank you for
your leadership on the Boko Haram issue because to draw investments into
Nigeria, you absolutely have to have security. I think that securing our
borders is very very important thanks to your leadership for that. I also thank
you for all the efforts you have made in the Lake Chad Basin Area.
“I was with you in Paris where
you led the efforts in reviving the Lake Chad Basin. As you know Mr President,
the bank is very strongly behind that. We put in $250 million to support the
northeast of Nigeria rebuilding. I know you were criticised for rebuilding but
I don’t see anything wrong, if things get destroyed they have to be rebuilt.”
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