2027: I Never Said I Would Run for President – AfDB Boss Adesina

African Development Bank (AfDB) President Akinwumi Adesina has refuted claims that he intends to contest for Nigeria’s presidency in 2027, calling the reports misleading.

Akinwunmi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has refuted claims linking him to a potential candidacy for Nigeria’s presidency in 2027.

After a recent interview, Adesina was reportedly suggested to have implied that he intends to run for president in 2027.

Nonetheless, the AfDB president has refuted the reports, asserting that he never expressed an intention to run for president.

In a post on his X handle clarifying his statement, Adesina explained that the interview had been misinterpreted and misrepresented in various Nigerian media outlets.

A portion of my recent interview on @ARISEtv has been misunderstood and distorted by several Nigerian media outlets. I stated, “I will be available to serve in any capacity, whether globally, in Africa, or within my own country.”

Adesina stated, “Listening to the comprehensive and detailed interview available online will confirm this. To be clear and on record, I did not announce my candidacy for President of Nigeria.”

It has been reported that Adesina, whose term as president of the AfDB is set to conclude in May 2025, has previously disassociated himself from Nigeria’s presidential race.

Amidst speculation surrounding the 2023 elections, Adesina issued a statement declaring that he would not be participating in the presidential race.

Adesina, previously Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, was initially elected as the president of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in 2015 and secured reelection in 2020.