Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu and the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) yesterday described as “shocking” and “grievous” the death of President John Attah Mills.
Ekweremadu, who is also the Deputy Senate President, said the death came as a rude shock.
Ekweremadu, in a statement by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu in Abuja, extolled the late President as a “true son of Africa who gave his very best towards democracy and development on the continent.”
He said: “The West African sub-region and indeed Africa has lost a pan-African and visionary who championed the course of democracy, good governance, peace, stability, integration, and development in the West African sub-region in particular and Africa in general.
“The ECOWAS Parliament in particular will remember him as one of its pillars of support and a strong proponent of the enhancement of the powers of the Community Parliament.”
Ekweremadu added that “the pages of history will be very kind to the late President for his remarkable roles in the defence and restoration of democratic rule in several parts of the sub-region and for upholding Ghana as one of the shining lights of democracy on the African continent.”
He urged Ghanaians to “work to sustain the laudable principles, visions, and legacies bequeathed by the late President.
Fashola said: “He built on the achievements of his predecessors with his wise and pragmatic approach to governance and succeeded in making Ghana a reference point in West Africa and, indeed, the Continent.
“Without doubt, this generation will continue to draw inspiration from his life and times and celebrate his exemplary life of service to the Ghanaian nation and Africa.”
Kalu described Mills as a man whose sight was on Nigeria ever before he became President in 2009.
The ex-governor said: “I join the world in mourning Prof.Atta-Mills. He visited Nigeria in 2008and I had the honour of hosting him in my home. He believed there was so much about Nigeria. Sadly, he did not get to complete this task before he died. I am glad another John (Dramani Mahama) has assumed office and I pray Ghanaians continue to see us as brothers indeed.”
MOSOP, in a statement by its president, Dr. Goodluck Diigbo, said:”I accept the inevitability of death, but the death of Ghanaian President John Atta Mills; I regard as an African tragedy because of his democratic example.
“Vice President John Mahama’s inauguration shortly afterwards proves that Ghanaians understand that public office is not a personal property or an ethnic entitlement.
“This reflects Mills’ politics, which put nation before self during his three attempts at the presidency.
When Ogonis escaped brutal persecution by corrupt Nigerian rulers, we accepted Ghana as our home under former President Jerry Rawling.
Ogoni People today mourn with our fellow Ghanaians.”
Source: The Nation