AMAECHI FOR NIGER DELTA MINISTRY?

Rotimi Amaechi

As talk of the need for cabinet reshuffle dominates current discourse, I have read a few individuals recommending Rotimi Amaechi for Niger Delta Ministry.

My view on Amaechi is well known. As far as I am concerned, he is a liability to the Buhari Administration and should not have been made minister in the first place.

But having been minister for some time now, it is arguable whether he has performed creditably or not. In my opinion over 90 percent of Buhari's ministers have not performed, aside Fashola and Dr. Ibe Kachikwu.

Be that as it may, it will amount to committing political harakiri if President Buhari retains Amaechi as Minister. For me, Amaechi should be dropped. Or, if the President cannot drop him for whatever reason, then he should give him a less visible portfolio.

Recommending Amaechi for Niger Delta Ministry, however, is a no no for me.

Amaechi is not suitable as Niger Delta Minister. I mean, he has personal political interest and cannot be said to be impartial. He already has a running battle with a key governor and former President of the country, both of who are from the region. How then can we expect him to be fair in matters affecting Niger Delta?

We should not forget that this is the same Amaechi who recommended scrapping of a key infrastructure like the Maritime University situated at Okerenkoko in the heart of the Niger Delta. That singular act already betrays him as a vindictive and partial person. There is no reason whatsoever that university should be scrapped

Secondly, Amaechi by my own assessment, has a polarizing personality. He is not a builder, he cannot build consensus – something that is vital in the volatile Niger Delta region.

Nor can he attract obedience and followership from the region. He has a warrior mentality. By his own attributes there will always be people from the region who would oppose him. That will not augur well for President Buhari administration's good intentions for the region.

All these considered, it will be suicidal to make Amaechi Niger Delta Minister unless the President does not care how his story would be written in the Niger Delta