By David Olalekan.
BudgIT’s director and co-founder, Seun Onigbinde has resigned his recent appointment as Technical Adviser in the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.
Onigbinde suffered severe backlash from social media trolls who tongue-lashed him for accepting an appointment from the same government he had disparaged.
It would be recalled that the BudgIT director had, during the build-up to the 2019 presidential election described supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari as enemies of Nigeria and ethnic jingoists who worship mediocrity.
Announcing his resignation today on his Medium Page, Onigbinde revealed that his loyalty to the good cause of the nation compelled him to accept the appointment.
He, however, noted that recent media reports had created a complex narrative which he believed would engender an atmosphere of mistrust, hence his resignation.
His statement reads in part : “Kindly recall that I sent out a note recently on my interest to seek new experiences and that I would be working as a Technical Adviser to the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning for a short period.
“It is clear that recent media reports about my appointment have created a complex narrative, which I believe would engender an atmosphere of mistrust, as I planned to proceed.
“Upon further reflections on the furore that has been generated by my new role as the Technical Adviser to the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, I humbly resign the appointment.
“My sincere interest is to see a Nigeria that grows and optimises resources for the benefits of all Nigerians.
“My loyalty to the good cause of our nation, Nigeria compelled me to accept the call to provide technical skills and this experience has more than strengthened it.”
He added that he would always be of help to the Federal Government in his capacity as the Director of BudgIT, a critical fiscal transparency group which builds civic awareness on the right of every Nigerian to know how public resources are managed.