By Uche Amunike
A former Spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, has turned in his resignation as a member of the opposition party, stating that he is no longer interested in participating in Nigerian politics.
Speaking, through a letter addressed to the national chairman of the party, Dr Iyorcha Ayu, which was dated Wednesday October 26, Olisa Metuh confirmed his resignation and also said that another copy had been submitted to the ward chairman of the PDP in his home state, Anambra.
In the letter, which he titled ‘Resignation from the PDP’, Metuh explained that he would henceforth devote his time to making contributions to the good governance of Nigeria without playing partisan politics.
His letter read: ‘During my three weeks trip for medical and personal reasons, I came to the realization that I can no longer play partisan politics in Nigeria. The reason for this decision is that from my experience and the nature of politics and development in Nigeria.’
‘I believe that I will contribute more to Democracy and good governance in Nigeria by being non-partisan. Being a Non-Partisan gives me the status to work for the strategic interest and well-being of the Nigerian people without the hindrance of partisanship.’
‘In that regard, I write respectfully, to formally inform you of my resignation from the PDP and cessation of partisan politics.’
He also stated: ‘I have duly enjoyed my membership of the PDP and remain proud of being the longest elected member of the National Executive Committee, one who won election to serve in several national positions at six (6) consecutive National Conventions of the Party. I will cherish the values and ideals learnt from the founding fathers at the inception of our nascent democracy.’
‘Any future participation in politics will only be limited to non-partisan involvements in areas of sustaining and deepening democracy and governance in Nigerian and at the global level.’
‘I pray you continue to insist on issue-based engagement in our political space as the country cannot afford the bitterness and divisions that may arise otherwise.’
‘In line with the constitution of the PDP, I have forwarded a copy of my resignation to my ward Chairman. May God bless us all’, he concluded.
Recall that the National Chairman of the party, Ayu, has been in the news for some months over calls by the governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike and some other PDP governors and chieftains to tender his resignation as they condemned the issue of letting a northerner be the PDP national chairman as well as presidential flag bearer in the person of Atiku Abubakar. Ever since, Governor Wike and his allies which include the Governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom, have conspicuously remained absent from all the rallies organised by Atiku Abubakar.
Recall also that in 2021, Olisa Metuh was sentenced to prison after he was found guilty of seven counts of money laundering after the EFCC arraigned him for an alleged fraud of N400 million which they said he received from the office of the National Security Adviser. Metuh however maintained that his former office collected the money and used it to prosecute the election. Despite his denial, the court still found him guilty.
