Metuh to politicians: Change your ways — protest worse than #EndSARS coming

Olisa Metuh, former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has warned politicians against misusing their positions.

In a statement issued on Tuesday to address the alleged use of an airforce jet to attend a wedding by senators, Metuh said the actions of the political elite have the potential to trigger anarchy.

He said the “persistent assault on the sensibilities” of Nigerians can birth a revolution worse than the #EndSARS movement.

In October 2020, Nigerians under the #EndSARS movement took to the streets to protest against police brutality, especially by the officers of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS).

The protests were subsequently hijacked by hoodlums, resulting in arson, vandalism and looting.

Metuh asked the politicians to “urgently” change their ways to avert a repeat.

“Truth be told, Nigerians have suffered a lot; they are suffering with burning indignation against politicians and their families and, God forbid, such indignation has the propensity to trigger a revolution and complete anarchy within one year of the general elections, if our political class fail to cleanse its ways,” he said.

“The entire political class must stop this tomfoolery and listen to the drumbeat by the ordinary Nigerians. Nigerians are tired of the lack of empathy by the political class who continue to abuse their positions and exploit the national resources for their lavish merrymaking while the nation burns.

“As a non-partisan statesman, it is imperative that I again caution our political class, to as a matter of urgent national importance, change their ways and cleanse their acts. This persistent assault on the sensibilities of Nigerians if not immediately halted may trigger a situation that may be worse than the October 2020 EndSARS protest with dire consequences in the polity.

“Truth be told, Nigerians have suffered a lot; they are suffering with burning indignation against politicians and their families and, God forbid, such indignation has the propensity to trigger a revolution and complete anarchy within one year of the general elections, if our political class fail to cleanse its ways.

“It is instructive that the senators involved show remorse by apologising to Nigerians while the presidency takes strong steps to ensure that such abuse does not occur again.

“For emphasis, Nigerians are not ready to condone any government, post-May 29, 2023, that will continue to use or hire private jets, maintain guest houses, use long and exotic convoys or indeed use government resources to fund their excesses.

“All those holding or aspiring for public offices must, therefore, brace up and be ready for transparency and integrity in office or steer clear of such public responsibilities.”

Metuh added that Nigeria can be great if people of “honour, integrity and passion” hold public offices.

“Nigerians must, therefore, do their part to save our country by supporting only candidates that will work for the interest of the nation and not be driven by a mundane desire for monetary gains, gratifications and lust for political appointments,” he said.

Metuh resigned his membership of the PDP in October and said he’ll no longer be involved in partisan politics.