Oluwaseun Onigbinde

After the news broke earlier today that Oluseun Onigbinde has been appointed as a Technical Adviser in Nigeria’s Ministry of Budget and National Planning, some Nigerians quickly took to Twitter to drag him for “being hypocritical”. Onigbinde is a Nigerian entrepreneur and data analyst who became famous for founding BudgIT and critiquing the government’s fiscal policies.  

It is not surprising that this development came as a surprise to many Nigerians. After all, bearing in mind Mr Onigbinde’s track record, nobody would have expected that he would one day wish to work for the government; at least not the current administration that is led by President Muhammadu Buhari. But he did get the job. And while many Nigerians have congratulated him, others are not clapping for him.  

Mixed Reactions: One of those that have reacted to Onigbinde’s appointed is Dr Joe Abah. He said he is pleased that Onigbinde got the appointment, even as he also used the occasion to caution young Nigerians against being too critical of the government.

One David Okon also expressed his belief that Onigbinde is most qualified to offer technical advice to the Ministery of Budget, bearing in mind his experience and constant preachment on the need for fiscal accountability. 

Many Nigerians are, however, displeased over the appointment. As a matter of fact, some people have even called for the appointment to be terminated, citing Onigbinde’s antecedent as Buhari’s critic. As a matter of fact, somebody referred to him a saboteur.  

While some people have argued that the backlash is not necessary, others have continued to dig up some of the man’s old tweets which defined his career as a vocal critic of President Muhammadu Buhari. 

It should be recalled that the late Nigerian social critic, Pius Adesanmi, once tweeted that he would give up on Nigeria if Onigbinde ever accepts a government appointment. Now that it has happened, some people are wondering what Adesanmi would have done if he were to still be alive. 

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Now, for the benefit of those who do not know the difference, Oluwaseyi Dansaki explained that this is not a political appointment. Instead, it is a “technical appointment”.  

[READ: Buhari reveals why Nigeria has not signed AU’s trade agreement]

In the meantime, Olusegun Onigbinde (whose Twitter followers have mysteriously reduced by the thousands since the announcement), broke his silence following the backclash. Here is what he said; 

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