Olisa Metuh at 60: A Journey in Triumph through Faith and Perseverance – Jude Ndukwe

By Jude Ndukwe

Chief Olisa Metuh is a man who means different things to different people. To some, he was a very highly lucrative asset to the PDP as its spokesman when the party was in power. To others, he was an audaciously fearless opposition voice and a symbol of courage in a repressive democracy when the PDP first lost power in 2015.

With the no-nonsense attitude the late President Muhammadu Buhari came to power with and his antecedents as a tough soldier and oppressive former military Head-of-State with an almost incurable military steel-heartedness, many opposition figures cowered in silence and opprobrious servitude before him as a civilian president. But while many ran away or kept mute as opposition politics weakened, Metuh showed up and raised his voice even louder. He would neither be cowed nor be daunted even in the face of imminent danger. He was as good as a one-man opposition figure, a representative of the collective, both active and redundant. He took up the gauntlet and strategically engaged the government of the day, holding them accountable on behalf of the people in a relentless demonstration of communication prowess that riled anti-democratic forces in government. His effrontery of playing legitimate opposition politics in a plural democracy like ours was considered an affront.

As it was common under that government, Chief Metuh had to be made to pay a price for his guts. He had to be used to set an example for others about the fate that awaited them if they continued their criticism of government no matter how objective and in public interest. He was aggressively hounded, and all manner of tricks were deployed to humiliate and dehumanise him. Not even the courts could give him reprieve as the web of victimisation extended to the temple of justice. His businesses were targeted, his family feared for dear lives, several friends and associates abandoned him and he became a pariah of some sorts. But the steely spirit in him would not give in to the antics of oppressors.

In the course of the persecution, Metuh’s health took a hit for the worse and all attempts to get him to attend to his deteriorating health proved abortive despite documentary evidence even by doctors of government-owned hospitals that affirmed the grave condition of his health. Sometimes, he was brought to court on stretchers and in neck braces. Not even such sorry sights could move his traducers to show compassion and create an enabling environment and conditions for him to stand trial. He entered the history books as one of the most vilified opposition figures dragged through the courts in an ambulance anywhere in the world. Metuh still did not relent. He was eventually cleared of all charges, as expected, and after ten months of unjust incarceration, he regained his freedom. He became not only a symbol of a persecuted opposition group, he was also in the frontline of what was a virile opposition that managed to sustain our democracy to date.

Metuh surely deserves his flowers.

He was a soldier in civilian clothing. A warrior of uncommon shield and spear; a man everyone desires and deserves to have on their team. Fiercely loyal, he refused to leave the PDP when others did for convenience rather than for conviction. He could not imagine himself abandoning the house he helped to build even if the house was being reduced to rubble by menacing human bulldozers. When he eventually left the party, it was not for another one but to recuse himself from active politicking. And this was understandable.

Having suffered for so long, he needed some time off to relax, recover, and relaunch.

Nobody suffers such a degree of dehumanization and remain standing tall unless such a one has faith deeply rooted in God; the type of faith that makes a man remain resolute about his beliefs even in the face of extreme danger. No wonder he once declared that a certain president was “not God and we will not worship him.” Chief Metuh has never shied away from giving all the glory to God for saving him from the travails he was subjected to. He persevered in faith, supported by family members.

Today, he triumphs! He celebrates!

At 60, and having recovered fully from tribulation and other vicissitudes of life, Metuh has since found his energy, his verve again. He now beams with infectious smiles that radiate rooms and brighten the gloomy. His several philanthropic gestures restore hope among the downtrodden. An enigma and a political colossus beyond his southeast region, Metuh’s influence cuts across geopolitical zones. His network is extensively wide and he is one of the few men whose voice still resonates with many people beyond any demographic limitations. This is partly because he is still seen, and rightly so, as one of the few people who spoke truth to power when the consequences of such a bold act were aggressive persecution by the powers that be. The nation still needs his wisdom, his candour and experience to help steer her in the path of peace, progress and prosperity.

As he marks his 60th birthday, one can only pray that God grant him long life in good health and happiness and the opportunity to bring to fruition all his lofty ideas for our dear nation.

Happy birthday, Chief!