ADP hails AfDB panel over Adesina

The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has expressed delight that the Africa Development Bank’s investigative panel cleared Akinwumi Adesina of any wrong doing.

Some whistleblowers had levelled allegations of favouritism against Adesina.

Although he had been cleared by the ethics committee of the bank, the US had requested an independent investigation, saying it was not satisfied with the report of the committee.

But the independent review panel led by Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland, cleared him of all the allegations.

In a statement, Adelaja Adeoye, national publicity secretary of the ADP, commended the panel for “doing a good job”.

“Adesina, while serving as a minister of Agriculture in Nigeria, proved his worth, selflessness, hard work and honesty, which gave rise to boom in food sufficiency in the country at that time,” he said in a statement.

“His ascension to the top AfDB job, was over his track record, which has greatly given a sharp high trajectory, in the progress recorded so far by the continent’s bank, calling on all leaders in Nigeria and across Africa to keep rallying around him for successful leadership at the Bank.

“For meaningful developments to ensue in Africa, there must be unity of purpose, unity in diversity is strength, and that, such will help the continent to develop along trade, technology, health care, Agriculture, and shore up their economic power.”

The party said it wants leaders on the continent to mobilise all efforts and ensure Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s bid for the top job at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) succeeds.

“Africa and in particular Nigeria deserves more of these international leadership positions to guarantee sustainable development of the huge human and material resources on the continent for the benefits of Africans and the world in general,” Adelaja said.