The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, yesterday raised the alarm of an alleged plot by the Federal Government to implicate him in in its ongoing investigation of alleged diversion of $2.1 billion arms purchase into presidential campaign.
Addressing newsmen yesterday in Abuja, Metuh said he collected money from former President Goodluck Jonathan “to carry out some assignment relating to my office and which he (Jonathan) duly funded.” He denied any dealings with the immediate past Federal Government or any of its security apparatus.
His statement to journalists reads in part:
“Gentlemen of the Press, this briefing is expedient, taking into consideration the times we find ourselves, especially as they relate to me. “In the last seven months, as opposition spokesperson, I have been hounded, harassed, intimidated and threatened severally. In order to avoid personal and family pressure, I had refrained from bringing them to the public domain.
“However, on account of recent information available to me, I now have cause to believe that the Federal Government is desperate and may have finalized plans to silence me. Nevertheless, I make bold to state the following:
“As someone who has been a private person, having not taken any public office, the choice of where, how and when to invest and conduct my personal business remains my prerogative. In this regard, I note that I never had any contract dealings with the immediate past Federal Government or any of its security apparatus.
“In the course of my duties as the National Publicity Secretary of our party, the then leader of our party and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria invited me and directed that I carry out some assignment relating to my office and which he duly funded. It is important to note that the former President was fully satisfied with the way and manner I handled the assignment.
“Finally, I reiterate that the present government should not use the apparatus of state power to settle personal scores,” Metuh said.
If Chief Olisa Metuh can explain the nature of the assignment given to him by our former President, GEJ, and show transparency in the utilization of the funds, then that is fine. Otherwise, he may be implicated in the arms deal.
Nevertheless, the truth of any alleged corruption matters will eventually come to light. Either an individual is corrupt or not corrupt; there is no in between.