TrackaNG, Sen. Ajibola Basiru trade words over N400m Osun projects

Tracka NG, a community of active citizens tracking the implementation of government projects in their community to ensure service delivery, has drawn the ire of the Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Dr. Ajibola Basiru.

Tracka, a project by BudgIT which was co-founded by Seun Onigbinde, had tagged Senator Basiru to a series of projects totaling N400m nominated in the senator’s senatorial district in the 2019 budget, asking the people of Osun State to monitor the execution and delivery.

As characteristic of Tracka NG which usually tags public officials to tweets, the photograph of Senator Ajibola Basiru and his twitter handle were tagged to the tweet.

Basiru, however, took exception to the tweet, stating that it was wrong of Tracka NG to have tagged him, noting that the 2019 budget was passed before his inauguration as a senator.

Tracka NG took umbrage at the senator’s reponse.

See the tweets:

Dear Sen @DrSRJ_, N400m projects was nominated in your senatorial district in the 2019 budget. We encourage members of your constituents to follow up and monitor the implementation of these projects. Public funds must work for the people. #AskQuestions pic.twitter.com/jTIkKC6AZv

— Tracka.ng (@TrackaNG) September 20, 2019

I could not have nominated a project in 2019 budget when I’m inaugurated after the passage of the budget. You don’t have to start scandalizing us to please your funders!!! https://t.co/gssUTfMhvv

— Senator (Dr.) Ajibola Basiru (@DrSRJ_) September 20, 2019

We never said you nominated a project. We said these projects are in your senatorial district.

As an intellectual, your concluding point is so unfortunate. https://t.co/UxnFdg6Nco

— Tracka.ng (@TrackaNG) September 20, 2019

Some social media followers of the former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Osun State told him there was no harm in the tweet, but he disagreed:

If it is about office then what is my personal picture doing there? https://t.co/DclpY8PqU9

— Senator (Dr.) Ajibola Basiru (@DrSRJ_) September 20, 2019

You read the message again. And the innuendo contained therein. You are rather giving a new and unintended meaning to the intended mischief of instigating constituents with misinformation. https://t.co/rD6LhFefqH

— Senator (Dr.) Ajibola Basiru (@DrSRJ_) September 20, 2019

You may read their message again so you will detect the mischief. They are not asking me to monitor but calling on constituents whereas the project is not yet cash backed or awarded. Budgeting is different from implementing and they should know. https://t.co/1Dn3WrD8VB

— Senator (Dr.) Ajibola Basiru (@DrSRJ_) September 20, 2019