The leadership of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday suspended the membership of Mali in accordance with the Community’s protocol on ‘Democracy and Good Governance.’

“The situation in Mali is something that ECOWAS frowns upon-a coup has occurred again, we all thought we were in a transition towards the end of next year, when the Country will be returned to Constitutional rule,” Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey told journalists shortly after an emergency summit held in Accra, Ghana.

The meeting was called by the Chairman of ECOWAS, President Akufo-Addo of Ghana to deliberate on the political crisis in Mali following the coup by the Malian military, led by Colonel Assimi Goïta.

According to Botchwey, the decision follows ECOWAS’s least tolerance for chaos, lawlessness and disregard for Laws that bind a Country.

She added that until Colonel Assimi Goïta seizing power this week, the regional body was still hopeful Mali will comply with the February, 2022 set-date to return the country to democratic rule.

“Unfortunately, this has happened and it is incumbent on the Heads of State to look at the whole situation so that it doesn’t happen again and also to safeguard the security situation in the whole of West Africa”

She however said, regardless of the suspension, the Malian Military and its leaders will “work with ECOWAS to ensure that the transition is on track towards the end goal, which is to return the people of Mali to democratic rule.”

Mrs Botchwey said that the suspension will come to an end immediately the Country returns to civilian government.

Addressing the meeting, President Akufo-Addo said recent happenings in Mali have raised anxiety levels in the West African Sub-Region, but assured that ECOWAS members are committed to restoring democracy and stability in the country.

“In this respect we must critically examine the dynamics of the situation and make informed decisions,” he added.

Speaker of the Ghanian Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin is under fire by fellow parliamentarians to invite Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame to explain the harsh measures introduced by government to combat illegal mining.

The administration of President Akufo-Addo has endorsed a ‘burn-on-sight’ approach adopted by operatives of Operation Halt, as a measure to curb illegal mining in the country.

“We will want to summon the Attorney General in accordance with Article 88 of the constitution as the principal advisor to the government on why the President should not be held in check for being in breach of the laws of Ghana,” says Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu while addressing the floor of the House, adding that, Mr Dame must be summoned in accordance with Article 88 to explain the stands taken by President Akufo-Addo in defending the burning of excavators.

He said, some evidence material must be provided which shows that burning excavators is sanctioned by the laws of Ghana and I wait to see that law.

“Extra Judicial Power is never vested in the President. So, the Attorney General will be brought before this house because we want him to lead the lawful Republic of Ghana to his oath to uphold the constitution and the laws of Ghana and to hold himself accountable to the laws of Ghana,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo on Wednesday recommended the court of law to persons who opined actions by the Operation Halt team contravene the laws of the land.

“The equipment, which is being used for an illegal or criminal purpose, cannot confer on the owner or any other person any rights whatsoever,” the President added.

But according to the Tamale South MP, there is no law found in the constitution that supports the burning of excavators, hence the incumbent is engaged in an illegality.

Some members of the Minority have explained that the actions taken by the Akufo-Addo-led administration are nothing to write home about since it suggests mob justice as the ideal way to rid the country of “galamsey” operations.

The Tamale North MP, Alhassan Suhuyini, stated that Article 995 of the constitution does not prescribe the burning of excavators as what should be done to confiscated equipment and machinery used in illegal mining.

For him, accessing documents from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to penalize culprits found mining in water bodies and forest reserves would be the best alternative to address its challenge.

But sharing similar a position as the President, Majority leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has stated that seeking redress at the courts is the best alternative for critics against the tactics employed by government in the “galamsey” fight.

By Iliya Kure

Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State, says he has not selected anyone to succeed him in office, and vows to resist any attempt to impose anyone as governor on the people of the State in 2023.

“Let me say it again, I have never sat with anybody to say I will make you governor. But, as a governor, nobody from anywhere, be it in the party, in Abuja, will impose who will be the candidate of PDP in Rivers state,” Governor Wike stated at a thanksgiving church service to mark second anniversary of the second tenure of his administration in Port Harcourt.

Governor Wike said the leaders and stakeholders in the State, will meet at the appropriate time to look at the pros and cons and then collectively decide who his successor will be.

He also explained that he is aware of people presently pose as his allies but are political foes plotting evil against his administration.

He urged the leadership of the church to pray and ceaselessly seek God’s intervention for a crisis free transition in 2023, and that the next governor of Rivers State will be God fearing.

“I urge you to pray that we will have our transition very smooth. That there will be no crisis.”

The governor, declared that despite the crisis orchestrated to destabilise his administration at the inception in 2015 and subsequently in 2019, he has steadfastly continued to deliver the dividend of democracy to the people of the State.

Mr. Wike, who ascribed the sustenance and successes of his administration to God’s divine guidance and protection, said without God, there was no way he could have survived the evil machination of some All Progressives Congress governors in connivance with the presidency, that attempted to foist any atmosphere of insecurity in Rivers State in order to rig him out of power.

He explained that his administration will not relent in delivery of needed infrastructure to every part of State despite the limited time left.

And as part of effort to further address the issue of traffic gridlock experienced in some parts of Port Harcourt, the governor announced that his administration will award contract for the construction of the tenth flyover at Tank Junction at Rumukurushi in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.

In his sermon, Rt. Rev Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, Bishop of Diocese of Niger Delta North, prayed God to grant Governor Wike, who he said has turned Rivers State to a huge construction site, the grace to finish his tenure well.

The bishop noted that amidst recession and economic crisis that has beset all the States in Nigeria, Governor Wike has not failed the people of Rivers State.

He ascribed all that the governor has achieved in the past six years to the divine grace of God.