Akinwumi Adesina denies endorsing Tinubu for 2023 presidency

Akinwumi Adesina

President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Akinwumi Adesina has discredited a statement that purported that he endorsed the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu for the 2023 presidency.

Tinubu, a former Lagos senator and governor, recently met President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Villa, Abuja where he told the president of his intention to contest for the party’s presidential ticket.

On the development, Adesina was alleged to have said Tinubu would be president.

“If Senator Bola Tinubu could make Lagos the 5th richest economy in Africa and the safest State in Nigeria then be sure that he will as Nigeria President,” the false statement had read.

However, Adesina’s media aide Victor Oladokun said the statement was “untrue, mischievous and fraudulent.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, no such statement or endorsement has been made by the President of AfDB,” he added.

As Nigeria counts down to another election year, false statements have begun spreading across social media.

Director-general of the World Trade Organisation Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala recently denied saying the Nigeria Governors Forum frustrated former President Goodluck Jonathan and that President Muhammadu Buhari was doing well.