Fifteen African leaders, including two Nigerian former presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, have thrown their weight behind embattled President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.
The African leaders expressed their support for Adesina in a statement they jointly signed, and issued.
Recall that President Obasanjo had written to some former leaders in the continent urging them to support Adesina against attempts by non regional members of the bank, led by the US, supported by Denmark and others, to hijack the leadership of the bank.
Also, the Government of Nigeria, through its Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed had written the bank’ Board Chairman voicing support for Adesina and his sterling achievements as President of the bank.
A whistleblower had in January alleged that Adesina had violated the Bank’s Code of Ethics, he was investigated by the ethics committee of the bank and cleared of the allegations.
However, the United States is insisting on a further independent probe, claiming that the bank’s ethics committee did not follow international standards in its investigations.
In the letter, the African leaders insisted that the Bank had followed its rules, procedures and governing systems, which had served it well since it was established by African countries in 1964.
They said: “The Ethics Committee of the Board of Directors, a legal oversight body of the Bank, made up of representatives of shareholders, cleared Dr. Adesina of all 16 allegations, declaring them as baseless and unsubstantiated and exonerated him completely.
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“The Chairman of the Board of Governors, based on the report of the Ethics Committee, declared Dr. Adesina exonerated.
“Governance is all about respecting and abiding by rules, laws and established governing systems of organisations.
“In the case of the AfDB, while differences may exist among parties, the best way to address them is to first respect the rules, procedures and governance structures of the Bank.
“To do otherwise will be tantamount to undermining the Bank and its long and hard earned reputation, and that of its President.”
According to the continent’s former leaders, “The Bank is a pride for all of Africa and its President, Dr. Adesina, has taken it to enviable heights.
“At this critical time that Africa is battling with COVID-19, the Bank and its President should not be distracted.”
The statement was signed and endorsed by the following:
H.E Olusegun Obasanjo (President of Nigeria; 1999-2007)
H.E Boni Yayi (President of Benin; 2006-2016)
H.E Hailemariam Desalegn (Prime Minister of Ethiopia; 2012 – 2018)
H.E John Kufour (President of Ghana; 2001 – 2009)
H.E Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (President of Liberia; 2006 – 2018)
H.E Joyce Banda (President of Malawi; 2012 – 2014)
H.E Joaquim Chissano (President of Mozambique; 1986 – 2005)
H.E Tandja Mamadou (President of Niger; 1999 – 2010)
H.E Goodluck Jonathan (President of Nigeria; 2010-2015)
H.E Mohamed Marzouki (President of Tunisia; 2011 – 2014)
H.E Benjamin Mkapa (President of Tanzania; 1995 – 2005)
ENDORSED BY:
H.E Ameenah Gurib-Fakin (President of Mauritius; 2015 – 2018)
H.E Rupiah Banda (President of Zambia; 2008 – 2011)
H.E Kgalema Motlanthe (President of South Africa; 2008-2009)
H.E Jakaya Kikwete (President of Tanzania; 2005 – 2015)
