Stop interfering in chieftaincy matters in Buem -Brodada kingmakers to politicians

The Head of Opamoa Clan and kingmakers of Bodada in the Jasikan Municipality of the Oti Region, Opanin Benjamin Adjei , has called on politicians to stop interfering in chieftaincy matters of the Buem Traditional Area, to prevent escalation of  tension in the area.

He cautioned that the interference by politicians, ostensibly to score political points, needed to be stopped because it was retarding development of Buem.

 “Most often, when chieftaincy issues arise, some politicians throw their weight behind one faction against the other, thereby giving unfair advantage to one group,” Opanin Adjei said.

He made the call at a press conference last Friday at Bodada, after the Jasikan Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) cancelled a ceremony to induct Nana Badju-Banor Aburam Akpanja V as the Paramount Chief of the Buem Traditional Area.

According to the clan head, the kingmakers wrote a letter to the Assembly on September 9, 2024, to request security for the event that had been scheduled to take place at Bodada, on Friday, September 20, 2024, but they did not receive any reply until 8.30pm, September, 19, 2024, a day to the event.

The MUSEC letter signed by its secretary, James Awapoayi, cited potential security risk associated with the ceremony as the reason for the kingmakers to postpone the event.

 According to the Council, the postponement would allow for further consultation and comprehensive planning to stem the potential security issue.

But, reacting to the decision by the MUSEC, Opanin Adjei rejected the claim of security threats in the area.

The clan head said Nana Badju-Banor Aburam Akpanja V had already been installed as Omanhene of the Buem Traditional Area, on June 28, 2024, at Bodada, with almost all the chiefs from the Buem Traditional Area participating in the ceremony.

Opanin Adjei said the upcoming ceremony was to induct the Omanhene and present him to the chiefs and people of the traditional area as the chairman of the Buem Traditional Council.

“The kingmakers are, therefore, surprised since there was nothing like opposition or security challenge as the Omanhene has been accepted by all parties,” he said.

He added that allowing kingmakers to carry out their functions would ensure peace in the traditional area.

FROM KAFUI GATI, BODADA