Date Published: 11/24/09

Editor Sir,

House of Reps call for Minister Ekaette's sack

When I read a sort of rejoinder by one Desire Umanah Oboh in The Nation November 11, 2009, page 16, to my piece that was published by many Nigerian newspapers (including yours), in the past, I knew that the newspaper (Nation) decided to allow it for sake of balancing; otherwise it was myopic and unworthy.

What I wrote about Minister Ufot Ekaette does not require further publicity and was nothing borne out of any malice but a chronicled catalogue of what people have said in the past about his appointment; Niger Delta is a topically burning issue. I do write on general topical issues as they arose. I have written on the Anambra unsettled political issue, yet Desire childishly, myopically tried to draw my attention to that in his rejoinder, asking me to concentrate writing only on (my) Anambra State.

Now that Desire sounded me out as someone with tribal sentiments, I wait on him to abuse also the Honourable members of the House of Representatives who in report contained in almost all the newspaper of November 20, 2009 asked the President to sack the Minister Ufot Ekaette for non-performance. Desire should also attack his kinsman in the House, Hon Ita Enang who spearheaded the call for the Minister’s sack.

Desire childishly told me clandestinely that Anambra is having unsettled political situation pointing out to me that PDP there had over 47 persons gunning to rule the State come 2010; in any case I see such as democracy on exhibition. If he has short memory, I want to remind him that Akwa Ibom (his State) had over 53 PDP governorship primary contestants for the 2007 gubernatorial elections that ushered in the present administration there. Is Akwa Ibom at peace with almost all the people that created the present government and even our (fortunately) respected wife and their sister, Mrs. Christy Essien Igbokwe, MFR, who we read and understand God actually used to create the wealth Akwa Ibom is enjoying today? Has the Ekaettes been able to settle with Bishop Sam Akpan (Akwa Ibom PDP Deputy Chairman) who soon would take over the Senate seat which Lady Eme Ekaette is presently occupying?

I have never and cannot insult Minister Ekaette, an elder, as Desire’s article may have made him and people to think.

Obidigbo Mgbachi

59 Market Road

Ekwulobia, Anambra State.