By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reached out to the United States government to discuss how the latter can drop its case against President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Mr Akinwunmi Adesina.
Business Post had reported that after Mr Adesina was cleared of allegations raised in a petition, the US government demanded an independent probe.
America said it was not satisfied with the clearing of the president of the accusation of corporate governance infractions and favouritism by the bank’s ethics committee and board of governors.
After much pressure, the AfDB board of governors authorised an independent review of the Ethics Committee report on Mr Adesina, a Nigerian, who is due for reelection as sole presidential candidate in August for a second term of five years.
In a telephone conversation between US Secretary of State, Mr Michael Pompeo and Nigeria’s minister of foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, on Tuesday, the two officials discussed the AfDB and the constructive role of multilateral initiatives in accelerating economic recovery and regional security.
A statement issued by the Office of the US Department of State Spokesperson, Mr Morgan Ortagus, said both Mr Pompeo and Mr Onyeama agreed that transparency and accountability would drive democratic and inclusive development.
The statement said the US also showed its stance with Nigeria over the recent Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) attacks in the North-east.
“Secretary Pompeo expressed condolences for the loss of life in recent ISIS West Africa attacks in the northeast, and the two discussed Nigeria’s ongoing civilian protection and counter-terrorism efforts.
“Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Onyeama reviewed Nigeria’s progress in fighting COVID-19 and the $30 million in recent U.S. assistance that has helped to strengthen Nigeria’s public health and humanitarian response.
“They also discussed the African Development Bank and the constructive role of multilateral initiatives in accelerating economic recovery and regional security, and they agreed that transparency and accountability will drive democratic and inclusive development,” the statement said.
Modupe Gbadeyanka