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It’s embarassing for 3 countries to exit from ECOWAS under Tinubu’s watch – Timi Frank

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It is a national disgrace and shame to Nigeria for three member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to withdraw their membership under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, former deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has claimed
He said the inability of Tinubu to peacefully resolve the lingering issues leading to the exit of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso from the regional body does not bode well for the leadership roles his predecessors have played in keeping the subregion united and peaceful.

He indicated that the 15-member regional group established about 49 years ago were intact when he assumed the reins of leadership as chairman in July 2023.

“But history will record that things fell apart during his ineffectual, riderless and neglectful stewardship in less than seven months,” Frank declared.

The military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger had last Sunday announced their immediate breakaway from the ECOWAS and joined forces in an “Alliance of Sahel States.”

The regimes have been having fractured ties with ECOWAS since coups took place in Niger last July, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Mali in 2020 as they have been struggling with jihadist violence and poverty.

The three regimes were suspended from ECOWAS with Niger and Mali facing heavy sanctions but they had maintained their hard-line positions in recent months.

Frank in his reaction to the withdrawal said the buck should stop at the table of President Tinubu who is the present chairman of the body for failing to use his position to foster peace through effective dialogue.
However he said the Nigerian oresident had maintained a hardline stance including a botched attempt to spearhead the use of arms to restore democracy in Niger.

Frank said: “Since assuming office as President of Nigeria, Tinubu has demonstrated his lack of nuanced understanding of regional politics and empathy for poor and suffering Nigerians – his primary constituency.

“No man cannot give what he does not have. His poor leadership of the regional body has led to its ongoing disintegration just as it has brought untold hardship upon Nigerians.

“Your inexperience and that of those handling the economy has destroyed our economy.
“Investors have refused to come into the Region and particularly in Nigeria as they are seen pulling out of Nigeria on a daily basis.

“For instance, Tinubu met the exchange rate of Naira to Dollar at about N600 to a dollar but today it is about N1,500 to a dollar.

“Besides, his knee-jerk removal of fuel subsidy has further impoverished Nigerians with people finding it difficult to feed or afford skyrocketing transport fares.

“Above all, insecurity is on the increase with the nation’s capital – FCT – and other parts of the country rendered increasingly unsafe by incessant kidnappings and gruesome killings.

“How can a man who has not been able to secure and ensure peace in his house be counted upon to provide leadership to a politically, culturally and religiously diverse 15 sovereign nations?

“Today Tinubu is destroying ECOWAS just like he is doing to Nigeria. Tinubu has introduced regionalism into the governance of Nigeria.

“His latest move which must be rejected and resisted by all is to move the nation’s capital back to Lagos through the back by relocating key government agencies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to Lagos. Injustice cannot but breed discontent and disunity.”

He called on President Tinubu to retrace his hasty steps and toxic economic policies both as chairman of ECOWAS and President of Nigeria and equally to ensure that the powers entrusted to him do not ruin the country and the subregion socially, politically and economically.

To say the least, you won’t be on private visit when your house is burning. The right thing to do was to come back home immediately and have an emergency meeting in furtherance of your resignation as ECOWAS chairman, if you has any iota of shame left. It is insensitive and a glaring sign of incompetence.

He further called on the President to seek advice from former Nigerian Presidents who also acted as chairmen of ECOWAS on how to lead Nigeria and the subregional body.

West Africa

Obi Celebrates Mahama’s Return as Ghana’s President, Advocates for African Unity

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John Dramani Mahama

Nigerian statesman and former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has congratulated Ghana’s President, John Dramani Maham, on his re-election and inauguration for another term in office.
In a statement issued via his X handle, Obi hailed Mahama’s victory in Ghana’s December 7, 2024, election as a resounding mandate for national renewal and inclusive governance.
Obi praised the Ghanaian leader’s triumph as a reflection of the people’s yearning for progress, stability, and development. He urged Mahama to prioritize policies that promote equity, accountability, and economic resilience, ensuring the welfare of all Ghanaians.
“May this new chapter be defined by peace, prosperity, and the fulfillment of Ghana’s collective aspirations,” Obi stated. He emphasized that Mahama’s leadership should inspire the rest of Africa to pursue unity, growth, and sustainable development.
Political analysts have interpreted Obi’s message as a call for closer collaboration among African nations to address shared challenges, including insecurity, poverty, and economic disparities.
Obi further invoked the legacy of Ghana’s founding father, Kwame Nkrumah, urging Mahama to uphold the Pan-African vision of integration and continental progress.
Observers note that the bond between Obi and Mahama symbolizes a shift toward stronger West African cooperation amid mounting socio-economic and security concerns.
Ghanaians now look to Mahama’s administration to deliver on campaign promises, particularly in areas such as job creation, education, and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Obi’s remarks have sparked widespread praise across social media, with many commending his statesmanship and Pan-African outlook.
As Mahama begins his new term, all eyes remain on how his leadership will address Ghana’s pressing needs while serving as a beacon of progress for Africa’s future.

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West Africa

Ghana’s Supreme Court Upholds Controversial Anti-LGBTQ Bill

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Ghana’s Supreme Court has upheld the controversial Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, rejecting two bids to overturn it. The bill, which severely curtails LGBTQ rights, was approved by Ghana’s Parliament in February and has since sparked international condemnation, particularly from human rights groups and western countries.

The legislation mandates jail terms of six months to three years for individuals found engaging in LGBTQ sex, a move that has garnered significant public support within the conservative country. However, the bill has faced criticism from the global community, including the United States, and raised concerns within Ghana’s finance ministry over the potential risk of losing billions of dollars in World Bank funding.

The court’s ruling, delivered by judge Avril Lovelace-Johnson, emphasized that the bill cannot be acted upon until it receives ratification from the outgoing president, Nana Akufo-Addo, who is set to step down on January 7 after serving two terms in office. Akufo-Addo has stated that he would wait for the Supreme Court’s ruling before making a decision on whether to sign the bill into law.

Judge Lovelace-Johnson clarified, “Until there is presidential assent to the bill, there is no act of which the Supreme Court will use its supervisory jurisdiction to overturn.” The decision follows legal challenges from Ghanaian broadcaster Richard Dela-Sky and university researcher Amanda Odoi, who questioned the constitutionality of the bill.

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West Africa

John Mahama Re-Elected as Ghana’s President, Bawumia Concedes Defeat

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Former Ghanaian President, John Dramani Mahama has made a stunning political comeback, securing victory in the nation’s fiercely contested 2024 presidential election.

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate edged out his main rival, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, the presidential candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
In a heartfelt concession speech delivered on Sunday, Mr. Bawumia acknowledged the NDC’s victory, citing internal data that indicated Mr. Mahama had won both the presidential and parliamentary polls.
“The people of Ghana have spoken, and I congratulate Mr. Mahama on his victory,” Bawumia stated.

Saturday’s election saw high voter turnout across the country as Ghanaians cast their ballots in what many described as one of the most competitive elections in recent history.

Although the Electoral Commission of Ghana has yet to officially declare the final results, Mr. Mahama’s win has been widely celebrated by his supporters, signaling the NDC’s return to power after losing the presidency in 2016.

John Mahama previously served as president from 2012 to 2017 and is expected to focus on addressing Ghana’s economic challenges and fostering unity in his new term.

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