President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that the support he gave Dr. Akinwumi Adesina to emerge president of the African Development Bank, AfDB, was a testimony to his promise not to discriminate among Nigerians irrespective of religious or political affiliations.
This promise, he had couched in his statement – I belong to everybody and nobody – during his swearing in as the president.
Buhari made this known in reaction to Akinwunmi’s appreciation for the support he enjoyed from the president when he was bidding for the president of the AfDB.
Said Buhari: “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 am for everybody and I am for nobody. As long as you are a Nigerian, be prepared to be on the receiving end from me.”
The president spoke with Nigerians in Cote D’Ivoire on Tuesday where he is attending the 5th AU-EU Summit.
Adesina, while expressing appreciation for the role the president played in his emergence as AfDB boss noted that the economy of the country got a boost after the president’s health improved.
Said Adesina: “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.
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“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.”
