I have seen many takes on the @AfDB_Group crisis since my thread yesterday and I’m disappointed that many do not understand how global politics work. Akin Adesina is being made a sacrificial lamb for US interests. And as a Nigerian, #IstandWithAdesina. Let me tell you why. Thread

The US never supported Akin Adesina for the job initially in 2015 & opted for another candidate instead. Part of the reasons was bcos of Akin Adesina’s inward focused approach to Agriculture since Minister in Nigeria, invariably reducing America’s imports

Eg, US was never happy with his cassava policy in Nigeria that targeted reducing the $4.2bn wheat import bill, a huge chunk from US. So USA has always seen him as a threat to western trade interest in Africa. He has remained against an import dependent Africa #IstandWithAdesina

So from 2015, there has been consistent pointers to USA and it’s allies conflict in the affairs of AfDB, with this climaxing when Adesina became the unopposed candidate for second term, due to his impeccable accomplishments. So they dug up 16 spurious allegations against him.

This is where it gets interesting. The Ethics Committee investigated the allegations by the “whistleblowers” & came back with a detailed report that absolved Adesina. USA then called for an independent or external investigation, which is against the AfDB laws #IstandWithAdesina

Another twist. The essence of whistleblowing is that you have evidence to show that someone has done wrong. But all attempts to request for additional information from the whistleblowers by the Ethics Committee of the Board of Directors (EBCD) proved abortive. #IstandWithAdesina

From saying they have no evidence, to saying that they were unable to provide information on the grounds that they wanted to maintain anonymity, and provision of evidence would lead to their being uncovered. The ECBD therefore did their work and I’ll list their resolutions below.

The ECBD conducted a point by point examination of the allegations:
1: Non-respect of internal rules and regulations in recruitment:
The ECBD determined that this allegation is unfounded and should be dismissed
#IstandWithAdesina

Allegation 2: Appointment of Mrs. Chinelo ANOHU-AMAZU (unethical conduct, impediment to efficiency, preferential treatment, adversely affecting the integrity of the Bank).
The ECBD determined that this allegation is unsubstantiated and should be dismissed. #IstandWithAdesina

Allegation 3: Appointment and promotions of Mr. Martin FREGENE (unethical conduct, impediment to efficiency, preferential treatment).
The ECBD determined that this allegation is uncorroborated and should be dismissed. #IstandWithAdesina

4: Mismanagement of the TAAT Programme (unethical conduct, impediment to efficiency, preferential treatment, adversely affecting confidence in the integrity of the Bank).
The ECBD determined that this allegation is unsubstantiated and should be dismissed. #IstandWithAdesina

5: Appointments & promotion of Mrs. Maria MULUNDI
6: Direct contracting and appointment of Mr. Victor OLADOKUN
7. Contracting of Mr. Kapil KAPOOR
8. Appointment of Mr. Emmanuel EZINWA
#IstandWithAdesina

9. Preferential treatment for Nigeria and Nigerians- the Committee found other countries with more staff & presence than NIGERIA & that the whistleblowers erred in attributing the current structure of the Bank to the President, when the Board played its role in approving it

10. Awards received by the President and costs borne by the Bank
11. Settlement for staff separations
12. Resignation of Mr. David SSEGAWA
13. Resignation of Mr. Michel-Cyr DJIENA-WEMBOU
14. Appointment of Mr. Charles LUFUMPA as acting VP and Chief Economist
#IstandWithAdesina

15. Disregard of rules concerning leave of absence of VPs or travel of management
16. Political lobbying of Heads of State - The whistleblowers did not adduce any evidence in support of this allegation.

The Committee determined that all the allegations should be dismissed.

It is then interesting to note that just after a clearly written report by the Ethics committee, the western media started peddling unfounded news & pressuring Adesina to step down, so much so that the Board of Governors had to issue a statement. #IstandWithAdesina

It’s not only unfortunate that the US & west are attempting to impose their will on the collective choice of African leaders for AfDB President, it is tragic that they want to perpetuate economic imperialism over Africa by silencing reformers like Akin Adesina
#IstandWithAdesina

The handwritings are all over the wall, once you want to take an African down, throw allegations of corruption at him, no matter how spurious. We shall never allow this. Adesina is one of Africa’s finest. And Africa stands behind him. #IstandWithAdesina https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/04/14/akinwunmi-adesinas-high-5-in-deadly-wind/amp/