AfDB: Kenyan Opposition Party Leader Tackles US, Allies Over Akinwumi Adesina

African leaders continue to throw their weight behind the president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina. The latest support came from Kenyan opposition party leader, Raila Odinga, who warned those with misguided agendas to cease and desist.

Odinga, who is also the high representative for infrastructure development at the African Union, said the allegations against Adesina was meant to destabilise AfDB. According to him, some individuals are bent on disrupting the financial institution and derail AfDB.

What You Need To Know

AllNews had reported that the US and its allies in the AfDB demanded for an independent probe of Adesina after the AfDB ethics committee cleared him of the allegations made against him by a whistleblower. The U.S questioned the ethics committee's report, stating that it doesn't trust the process.

The AfDB succumbed to the request, allowing an independent body review the report by its ethics committee. This decision was met with criticism from Nigeria, with the Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed, stating that the AfDB should ignore the request by U.S as it's against the code of AfDB.

AllNews had also reported that AfDB's decision to allow for an independent probe of Adesina exposes the economic slavery in AfDB. It was learnt that non-African countries account for 40% stake in AfDB. Also, while Nigeria is the largest shareholder with 9.3% shares, the U.S comes next with 6.3%.

Odinga Sends A Clear Message

Speaking about the ongoing faceoff between the U.S and Adesina, Odinga said, “Available information points to some elements bent on circumventing the clearly articulated and well-tested governance and procedures by the bank.”

Odinga further stated that “However, a few individuals who were not satisfied by the board’s findings and determination decided to pursue the issue outside the bank’s processes and procedures by calling for an independent inquiry,” he said.

“We reject this attempt to operate outside the law and which if not checked can destabilize a well-functioning institution at a time the continent needs it the most.

“Under the leadership of President Akinwumi Adesina, the AfDB has made commendable strides.” He warned that those with "misguided agendas to cease and desist” stating that “this is the time to stabilise AfDB, not destabilise it”.