Her replacement, Professor Keme Pondei, finding things getting too warm for him during a resultant probe by legislators, outmatched her in thespian performance by promptly fainting, according to cynics. He has bought himself time; something no one is willing to sell to the embattled Mr Akpabio.

The minister is being tossed left, right and centre by both the people and their representatives with ultimata and the courts looming ominously large in his nightmares. He had let himself go while appearing before the House of Reps Committee on Niger Delta by alleging that 60 percent of NDDC contracts were awarded to lawmakers. He said he had the records to prove it. Since then, the cry on every lip and the voice in every mouth has pressured him to publish these names. He has half obliged everyone.

Reluctantly, he addressed a letter to the Clerk of the House of Representatives containingsome names, but mostly attempting to reseal the can of worms he had opened when he was overcome by his passions. The House has rejected the letter and warned him to desist from these diversionary tactics.

Mr Akpabio’s position is not an enviable one, and it is hard to see an imminent end to his woes.He clearly knows things he has deemed impolitic to reveal, and he will drag this drama on for as long as possible. It remains to be seen whether he will eventually cave in and make more damning revelations or if he will quietly submit to the hangman’s noose.