AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina praises Buhari for support during re-election campaign

President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has expressed deep gratitude to former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari for his unwavering support during critical moments of his career, particularly in his bid for re-election as AfDB president.

Adesina paid a courtesy visit to Buhari in Kaduna State, where he was pictured prostrating before the former leader in a show of respect and appreciation. He later took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share his sentiments.

“I visited President Buhari to express my deep appreciation for his incredible support. He strongly stood by me in difficult times, which ensured my re-election,” Adesina wrote.

Although Adesina was initially nominated for the AfDB presidency by former President Goodluck Jonathan, he acknowledged Buhari’s significant role in backing his initial candidacy and providing vital support during the re-election campaign in 2020.

The AfDB president’s visit underscores the continuity of bipartisan support across successive Nigerian administrations in furthering continental development goals.

Adesina, a respected development economist and former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture, was first elected as AfDB president in 2015 and successfully secured a second term in 2020 amid global endorsement.