Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, has formally announced that he is joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the PDP failed to stand by him during his period of difficulty.
Metuh, who recalled that he stepped away from partisan politics nearly three years ago, said he chose the APC for his return because members of the ruling party offered him support when he needed it most.
He made the declaration on Sunday during a thanksgiving service held in Abuja to celebrate his 60th birthday.
The event drew several political figures, including Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma; former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim; former governors Okezie Ikpeazu, Sam Egwu and Ikedi Ohakim; as well as Senator Victor Umeh and Tony Nwoye, among others.
Speaking with journalists after the service, Metuh said he was prepared to contribute meaningfully to national development through the APC, adding that a strong opposition remains vital to the country’s democratic growth.
Although many politicians have been switching parties, he dismissed fears that the country was drifting toward a one-party system. According to him, Nigeria is grappling with several challenges, and he intends to play his part in strengthening democracy.
“I am trying to make sure that I assist the government at the centre, the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to deliver the goods, the dividends of democracy. I have seen the steps, I have seen the challenges, and as a patriotic Nigerian, I want to join hands in resolving those challenges.”
During his testimony in church, Metuh recounted how he felt abandoned by the PDP at a time he expected support.
“When I had problems I did not see my party; I did not see the people I suffered for.
“I was in the court with my family. But in the midst of that, somebody who I criticised so much, there is no week, because President Tinubu was the head of the opposition then, every week we must find something to criticise him with.
“In the middle of my problem he sent the speaker of the House of Representatives then, Femi Gbajabiamila to come and see me.He reached out to me; he comforted me and he did a lot of things for me then and this was someone who was my political enemy.
“So I say today, that it is really not where you sow that you will reap, it is where God said you will reap that you will reap. I wish PDP well, I gave my life to PDP. But I have moved on, and I wish them well,” Metuh said.
On concerns that Nigeria might become a one-party nation, Metuh insisted that credible figures in the opposition remain committed to preventing such an outcome.
“There are a lot of credible citizens, Atiku Abubakar is a very credible person. Peter Obi is a very credible person. David Mark is very credible. There are a lot of people,” he said.
Metuh also revealed that President Bola Tinubu had approached him multiple times over the years to join the APC.
“It took me a long time to get involved in politics. I’ve been called several times. The president wanted to work with me. Even in 2015, when we lost the election, I didn’t bother. He reached out to me again.
When I left politics in 2022, he called me to come into his party. And I refused. After he won the election, I went to see him. He called me to enter the party that he needed me. I refused because I stopped politics.
“Now that I’m in politics, I want to help. Maybe I could be a good voice on this side. To ensure that the polity is good. Like I explained to you, we need space in our democracy. We need to grow it. We need vibrant opposition. We need people to express their views. We need to do all sorts,” he added