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The former Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, on Sunday said that President Bola Tinubu has refrained from using his ongoing war against corruption as a tool to witch hunt his political rivals unlike what obtained under the last All Progressives Congress (APC) government led by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The former PDP spokesman also alleged that under former President Buhari, serving officials of the government were conferred with immunity which resulted in unimaginable impunities and the wanton desecration of national values, wealth, and resources.
He said those in opposition between May 29, 2015 to May 29, 2023, were humiliated, degraded, and persecuted with the massive might of the state.
Chief Metuh said that the locust days appeared to be over, adding that President Tinubu has renewed confidence in the Nigerian project, especially in observing best democratic practices.
He said the president has restored regard for the liberty and freedom of individuals as well as for transparency and accountability.
Recall that under the Buhari’s administration, the former opposition spokesman was prosecuted on corruption charges but discharged by the courts.
But Metuh said that the Tinubu’s fight against corruption and financial crimes is different from a fight targeted at opposition figures whilst protecting and sparing those on the corridors of powers.
Noting the positive steps the president has already taken to retool the country, Metuh called on all Nigerians to set aside their various interests and support him.
Metuh in the statement he titled, “Work in Progress: Why Nigerians Should Support President Tinubu,” said, “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.
“A lot of people were sceptical about the direction the nation was headed, giving the deep social wounds and the devastation done on every fabric of our nationhood.
“Within those years, we witnessed a country where serving in government or belonging to the ruling party conferred immunity on individuals. This resulted in unimaginable impunities and the wanton desecration of national values, wealth, and resources. Those in opposition were humiliated, degraded, and persecuted with the massive might of the state.
“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 on the corridors of powers.
“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.
“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 shinning talents. 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.
“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.
“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.
“From that standpoint, I call on all Nigerians to set aside every sectional, political and religious sentiments and put the national interest first by supporting President Tinubu bearing in mind that his success is the nation’s success today and for generations yet unborn.
“Nigeria’s future is much better served by contributions, inputs and constructive criticisms as obligations and duties of responsible citizens in every participatory democracy.
“Finally, it is evident that there is a sure and steady move to where we want to be as a nation. This government indeed, is reflective of a good work in progress.”
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