Onigbinde Under Pressure From Buhari Supporters Resigns

By Emmanuel Aziken

Mr. Seun Onigbinde, has succumbed to pressures from supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari and resigned his appointment as technical adviser to the minister of national planning, Mr. Clement Agba.

Onigbinde, a co-founder of BudgIT, the Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO which severally dissects and exposes  inefficiencies in the country’s budget systems was also known as a critic of President Buhari who he was quoted to have described as incompetent.

His appointment for a six month spell to provide technical expertise to the new minister of national planning was, however, severely criticized from both critics and supporters of the president.

Appearing on a television programme, Your View on TVC earlier on Monday, co-founder of BudgIT, Joseph Agunbiade parried questions as to the propriety of Onigbinde’s appointment saying the decision was for his partner to make.

But succumbing later in the day, Onigbinde in a statement said:

“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.”

“I am very grateful to the Honourable Minister, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, for believing in my expertiser  and I also thank everyone who sent his or her congratulations to me in the short period. I have also been humbled by the faith and belief that numerous persons have expressed in me.

“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.

“I also want to wish the Nigerian Government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, well. I will always be of help to the federal government in my capacity as the Director of BudgIT, a critical fiscal transparency group, as I have been to several agencies. I would also work to ensure that BudgIT continues to build civic awareness on the right of every Nigerian to know how public resources are managed.”

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