ibironkeeniola 
President of Sierra Leone, Julius Madia Bio, has expressed his support for and confidence in the embattled president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina.
Bio, who joined other African presidents to support the bank chief, gave the assurance on Sunday on Twitter.
“Be assured @akin_adsina of my and my country’s staunch confidence and unflinching support for your bold and progressive leadership of the African Development Bank (@afdb_group,” he wrote.
The president’s support comes after the US Treasury Department rejected a submission by AfDB’s Ethics Committee clearing Adesina of all allegations of nepotism and disregard for the institution’s governance structures.
In defence of Adesina, a group of 14 former African presidents and a prime minister (altogether 15) in a statement urged the United States to respect the government structure of AfDB.
The former leaders pointed out that conflict resolution processes outside of the lender’s laid down rules would undermine the Bank and the president’s reputation.
They explained that, “Governance is all about respecting and abiding by rules, laws and established governing systems of organisations.
“In the case of the AfDB, while differences may exist among parties, the best way to address them is to first respect the rules, procedures and governance structures of the Bank.
“The African Development Bank is a pride for all of Africa, and its president, Dr Adesina, has taken the Bank to enviable heights. At this critical time that Africa is battling with Covid-19, the Bank and its president should not be distracted.”
The ex-African leaders who were signatories to the statement include Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria), Boni Yayi (Benin), Hailemariam Desalegn (Ethiopia), John Kufour (Ghana), Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Liberia), and Joyce Banda (Malawi).
Others were: Joaquim Chissano (Mozambique), Tandja Mamadou (Niger), Goodluck Jonathan (Nigeria), Mohamed Marzouki (Tunisia), Benjamin Mkapa (Tanzania), Ameenah Gurib-Fakin (Mauritius), Rupiah Banda (Zambia), Kgalema Motlanthe (South Africa) and Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania).
SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA