NPP candidates suspend campaigns in Bawku area over chieftaincy dispute

The long-standing Bawku central administration dispute has taken a serious turn, prompting two parliamentary candidates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to suspend their campaign activities.

Dr. John Kingsley Krugu and Paul Alale Abogiri, representing Zebilla and Bawku Central respectively, have suspended their campaigns amid escalating tensions in the region.

Recent developments

Abagre’s return to Bawku on Thursday amid heavy security has reignited tensions.

A High Court in Bolgatanga had issued an arrest warrant for Abagre, which was resisted at the Nayiri’s palace.
John Kugu has called for strong government intervention, while Abogiri stressed the need for government action to maintain peace.

The nuclear power plant had received significant support in the Kusaug zone, with over 80,000 votes in the 2020 elections.

However, recent events have jeopardized this progress.

Below is the full statement:

In a statement, Krugu said recent developments in the Kusaug Traditional Area (KTA) have raised fears that the Bawku crisis will flare up again, following a series of legal and political twists that threaten stability in the region.

“In February last year, the Nayiri Alhaji Seidu reportedly enveloped Abagre as a rival Bawku Naba. This act, which was quickly condemned by the government as illegal and a threat to national security, exacerbated the volatile situation in Bawku and the surrounding area. The government’s immediate and unequivocal response was a testament to its commitment to maintaining peace in the region and providing a sense of security to the people.”

“In a statement issued on February 15, 2023 condemning the alleged cover-up, the government reiterated that the current Bawku Naba, Zugraan Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, was the duly recognized head of Bawku. This recognition, published by both the Upper East Regional House and the National House of Chiefs, serves as a pillar of stability in the region, keeping the public well informed,” parts of the statement read.

Dr. John Kingsley Krugu further stated that a High Court in Bolgatanga had issued an arrest warrant against Alhaji Seidu Abagre, who remained in Nalerigu “after his alleged cover-up, allegedly to take cover among the Nayiri to avoid being arrested. Attempts to enforce the court order were resisted at the Nayiri’s palace.’

The area enjoyed relative peace until Abagre returned to Bawku. Krugu called for strong government intervention to address the problems.

Additionally, Paul Alale Abogiri, PC for Bawku Central, stated that the situation requires urgent government action to protect the relative peace that has been maintained in the area in recent months.

However, Abogiri’s decision to suspend his campaign activities has not been well received by the party. In a statement, NPP Chairman Abdulai Issaka noted that the PC’s actions were taken without consulting the party, describing them as “malicious.”

“The suspension of campaign by the NPP PC for Bawku Central, citing recent developments, was done without any consultation, and it is not the tradition of our party for the PC to take such arbitrary actions without recourse to the party executives . This is malicious and aims to confuse our campaign. The action of Paul Alale Abogiri is a clear sign of disloyalty to our party and presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

The PC should be able to distinguish between its tribal interest and the collective interest of our party,” read parts of the constituency chairman’s statement.

Issaka, the party chairman, also called on the government to maintain neutrality in the ongoing conflict.

“I call on the government to continue to play its role from now on by ensuring equality in the treatment of both factions in the chieftaincy debacle. They must clamp down on all rioters and fully enforce the law so that those who take the law into their own hands face the consequences.

“Our President has clearly stated in the past that he is not a Bawku royal and any aggrieved party in the Bawku leadership dispute should seek redress through proper channels. Why then the constant meddling and maneuvering? The unfortunate issuance of an arrest warrant against Naa Alhaji Seidu Abagre has been settled by a competent court.

“The government must stay away and stop being influenced by individuals who threaten violence. Let those who have been wronged go to court.”

Meanwhile, the Deputy Regional Communications Director of the Upper East Nuclear Power Plant, Andrew Atariwini, released a statement discussing the political implications of the government’s inaction.

“Our political research indicated that the nuclear power plant was about to share the zone with our NDC counterparts. However, recent events have jeopardized this progress, effectively bringing us back to square one: a setback that could still be avoided if the government acts quickly and decisively.

The decision to support the return of this impostor, who shamelessly presents himself as chief, has dealt a serious blow to the momentum of our party and undermined the integrity of Bawku’s legitimate authorities. As the government in power, we must act decisively on this issue while the situation is still new.

The Kusaug zone, comprising Zebilla, Binduri, Bawku Central, Garu, Tempani and Pusiga, contributed over 80,000 votes for the NPP in the 2020 elections, the highest among the three major zones (including Western and Central).

“Before this regrettable and unjustifiable disruption, we were ready to significantly increase these numbers. The government must avoid the appearance of speaking with a forked tongue. I join those calling for a decisive, fair and immediate response to preserve the peace we have achieved in Bawku and put an end to the needless loss of life. This is a call to action in the interest of peace, and I make this call with the utmost conviction,” he wrote on his official Facebook platform.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

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