Sir,

When pessimists shouted that appointing the erstwhile Secretary to the Government of the Federation (under President Aremu Obasanjo), Obong Ufot Ekaette, as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, President Umaru Yar'Adua did not listen.

I did not see any sinister motive in those voices that went against the appointment because I also saw what they saw before shouting. Ufot Ekaette could be a loyal worker as he remained with Obasanjo but that did not mean that he was fantastic. Appointing him Minister in charge of the affairs of the volatile Niger Delta should be regarded as an error. So far, there is no single act of the Minister that has been praised.

Few months ago, he was on NTA network, showing us a prototype complex which he said would be completed in thirty days to cater for the reformation of the surrendering militants; it was to be a trade training centre kind of; but almost three months after then, I doubt anyone saw him on television to say, here comes one of the vital tools for rehabilitating the militants. Not yet.

Some of the ex-militants are asking for his sack.
The Niger Delta communities are asking for his immediate sack through the Chairman, Host Communities of Nigeria producing Oil and Gas, Chief Alfred Bubor, for alleged lack-luster performance since assuming office as the Ministry's boss. Ufot Ekaette on his part had blamed the federal government of not providing enabling environment such as funding, etc but thank God to touch President's heart to ensure release of the announced N200billion for Niger Delta development. House of Reps Speaker had informed the Niger Deltans in a forum that they should hold the Minister accountable for the bad road between Abia and Akwa Ibom.

I hope that the President knows that he needs those that can do the jobs for him to enable him do less talking and thinking and take enough rest he deserves each passing day because of his health. Before Ufot's appointment, it was read in the newspapers where Yar'Adua was said to have requested Obj to plead with Ufot to be the Niger Delta Ministry and this has come to pass; this raises question of the suitability of the President.

But the bottom line is to ask Chief Ufot Ekaette what he actually came out to allow himself disgraced by that appointment. It is not question of accepting the appointment to serve his country; he should have taken heed to all the suggestions from well-meaning people not to accept the appointment.

OBIDIGBO MGBACHI

59 MARKET ROAD

EKWULOBI, ANAMBRA STATE