The chiefs and residents of Bimbagu in the Bunkprugu-Nakpanduri district of the North East region have urgently requested that the National Security and the National House of Chiefs halt the process to elevate sub-divisional chief Nanik Daana to paramountcy status.
The community opposes the decision by the North East Regional House of Chiefs and the Mamprugu Traditional Council to promote Nanik Daana, labeling the move as unacceptable and provocative.
They have warned of potential violence if the authorities do not act promptly.
During a press conference, the chief and residents of Bimbagu also issued a stern warning that Nanik Daana should not enter Bimbagu if the elevation goes through.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the press, we wish to; by this press conference send a strong word of caution to the North East Regional House of Chiefs and the National House of Chiefs. We invite them on the side of caution not to elevate the Naniik Daana to Paramountcy status because it has the potential to ignite armed violence between the two communities”, the residents warned in the statement read by the youth secretary, Lawrence Tiibey Japiong.
“We are therefore calling on them to do the needful by not elevating the said chief for peace to reign. Otherwise, we the youth will use other options and means necessary to bring lasting peace to our community once and for all.”
The frustrated residents of Bimbagu have accused Lawyer Augustine Mahama, a native of Yunyoo, of spearheading the efforts to elevate Nanik Daana. They have warned him to avoid interfering in Bimbagu’s affairs.
Additionally, the residents have questioned Nanik Daana’s qualifications and suitability for becoming a Paramount Chief.
“We want to state emphatically here that the Naniik Daana is our guest. He is a guest of the Bagri Daana and any attempt to change the status quo will be resisted fearlessly. The facts must be told that the Naniik Daana is a settler within the Bagri Daana’s jurisdiction and on our farmlands”.
“We, as peace lovers, have communicated to all those who matter in this respect as you can see from the exhaustive list of our correspondences. We are using this medium for the last time to call on the National Security Minister, the Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the North East Regional Minister to pray on the North East Regional House and the National House of Chiefs to halt immediately the process or actions meant to elevate the Naniik Daana to Paramountcy in the interest of peace, and to give peace a chance in Bimbagu and its environs.”
The residents concluded by reaffirming their commitment to exclude Nanik Daana from the Bimbagu community if he is elevated to Paramountcy despite their objections.
