EXCLUSIVE: Sanusi speaks on moves against Adesina, says AfDB rules must be respected
Muhammadu Sanusi II, the former emir of Kano, has urged Africans and friends of the continent to stand up to ensure that laid-down rules are respected in the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group.
Sanusi made the comment following calls by the US government for an independent investigation after the bank’s ethics committee had absolved Adesina of whistleblower allegations of favouritism.
“The excellent letter written by the finance minister says it all and I am pleased that President Obasanjo has weighed in on the matter. Every well-meaning African or friend of Africa should speak up on this matter,” he told TheCable.
“It is a simple adherence to global best practices in governance. AfDB has clearly defined rules and processes for investigating and dealing with allegations of misconduct. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
“Since those processes were duly followed it is unheard of for the rules to be changed because someone does not like the outcome.”
Sanusi, who is a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said the support being shown for Adesina should not be viewed as “defending a Nigerian or a friend”.
“I have watched him at AfDB and his stellar performance is there for all to see. This is not about defending a Nigerian or a friend,” he continued.
“It is about standing up for what is right, for justice and for principle. Africa and its friends must stand up at this point.
“My hope is that everyone will see reason and respect the rules. As the minister has said if you don’t like the rules change them but not retroactively.”
In separate letters on Thursday, Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s former president, and Zainab Ahmed, the minister of finance, budget and national planning, urged that the AfDB’s governance system be allowed to play out.
“The call for an independent investigation of the president is outside of the laid down rules, procedures and governing system of the bank and its articles as it relates to the code of conduct on ethics for the president,” Ahmed wrote in a letter to Kaba Niale, chairperson of AfDB board of governors.
“As a board of governors, we must uphold the rule of law and respect the governance systems of the bank. If there are any governance issues that need improvement, these can be considered and amendments proposed for adoption in line with laid down procedures”.
In a statement on Thursday, Niale urged that the office be allowed to do its work and “let the process of examining this case to take its course”.
Mal. Sanusi my model. I love your stance, it is not about supporting Nigeria or a friend but about principles and doing what is right. Adricans must work in the tone of Sanusi and Obasanjo to franchised from the deterministic obsession of the non Africans who are working assiduously to maintain dominance. Dr. Adesina did well for Africa and his efforts should be relegated just for parochial envy and hate for the intelligent black.
I don’t trust our leaders why is he and his friends afraid of an independent investigation
Yes, this huge support by former Africans heads of state and ministers, and especially, Nigerians, is a bit suspicious. This US request is being supported by other countries too – even those not known to want to dominate Africa. And the US suspicions started from the Obama regime.
It may be true that Adesina may be doing well for the bank which is the most important thing. But this does not preclude the possibility of his being nepotistic, seeking personal gain, etc.
I personally hope he comes clean out of this. He will learn from it and become a better leader.
No provision that in in rules setting up the AfDB