Tinubu Has Demonstrated Proactive Leadership, Says Ex-PDP Spokesman, Metuh

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

A former National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),  Olisa Metuh, has said that President Bola  Tinubu has demonstrated proactive leadership that respects the sensibilities of Nigerians.

Metuh in a statement issued Sunday said in the last seven months,  there had been renewed confidence in the Nigerian project.

 He noted that in the past eight years — May 2015 to May 2023, a vast majority of Nigerians lost hope and faith in the Nigerian project, giving the deep damage done to the psyche of citizens, the economy, national unity and the practice of democracy in our country.

Metuh added that a lot of people were skeptical about the direction the nation was headed, given the deep social wounds and the devastation done on every fabric of the nation.

He emphasised that within those years, the country witnessed where serving ministers in government or belonging to the ruling party conferred immunity on individuals. 

He stressed that this resulted in unimaginable impunities and the wanton desecration of national values, wealth, and resources. 

Metuh noted that those in opposition were humiliated, degraded, and persecuted with the massive might of the state. 

He said: “However, in the last seven months, under the new administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there is renewed confidence in the Nigerian project, especially in observing best democratic practices. 

“This government definitely appears to have regard for the liberty and freedom of individuals as well as for transparency and accountability.

“The most reassuring step is the genuine, determined and uncompromising fight against corruption and financial crimes in the country, different and distinct from a fight targeted at opposition figures whilst protecting and sparing those in the corridors of power. 

“Today, we see serving ministers and people who are holding top offices being removed from office and investigated for prosecution over corruption and financial crimes.”

Metuh pointed out that in the past, the fight against corruption was merely a political cum campaign tool fueled with massive media trials and only targeted at diminishing opposition shining talents. 

According to him, the fight against corruption is now distinctive to persons who have questions to answer and not a tool for persecution. 

“More importantly, there is no more demarketing of Nigerians and Nigeria as a nation by those who tagged our hardworking youth as lazy and tarred innocent and resourceful Nigerians on the international arena with the brush of corruption.”

Metuh further said Nigerians across board, have applauded the unprecedented patriotic stand for good governance in cutting the cost of governance at the federal level reflected in the recent slashing of all official entourage to state and international events by 60 per cent.

He noted, “President Tinubu has demonstrated proactive leadership; a listening and approachable leadership that respects the sensibilities of Nigerians as well as the need to re-engineer our nation for greater multi-sectoral productivity.

“This uncommon patriotism requires the recognition and support of all well-meaning Nigerians within the public, private and civil society sectors irrespective of political, ethnic, religious or vocational affiliations.”