The Abudu royal family of Dagbon in the Northern Region has stated that Bolinlana Mahamadu Abdulai, who is the regent of Dagbon, has not violated any custom and tradition of the land by occupying the residence of the Mba Dugu.

In a counter press statement to a petition written to the Chairman of the Committee of Eminent Chiefs, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II; the Chairman of the Abudu Youth Association, Alhaji Mugisu Sibawey refuted the claim made by the Andani royal family that the Bolinlana is forcefully occupying the residence against the customs of Dagbon.

He argued that the Northern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) offered the said house to the Bolinlana temporarily as Regent of Dagbon.

He stated: “We wish to let the whole world know that the said palace under contention, and under our circumstance, plays absolutely no role in the performance of the funeral of Ya Na Andani. It was not released to us, neither was it used during the performance of the funeral of Ya Na Mahamadu Abdulai IV”.

He described the claim that the Yenilimam and the Gundo Na would have to occupy the residence of Mba Dugu during a Ya Na’s funeral, as frivolous. Such a confrontational indiscretion, he said, is counterproductive and potentially injurious to the peace, which has eluded Dagbon for so long, and which “we are all hoping and praying for”.

He questioned: “Were the Gundo Na and Yenilimam housed in that palace during the funeral of Ya Na Mahamadu Abdulai IV? How can they, our cousins, expect this time, to be handed over this palace which was denied the Abudu family during the funeral of his Majesty the late Ya Na Mahamadu Abdulai IV?”

Tonglana Yakubu Andani explained in the petition to the Asantehene that the continuous stay of the Bolinlana at the residence of the Mba Dugu would affect the preparations of the Andani family.

He said it is also the place where the Yenilimam (Chief Imam) and the Gundo Na (Queen Mother) take up temporary residence before the commencement of the funeral rites of a Ya Na, in which all the three play vital roles.

Therefore, he appealed to the Asantehene to intervene and have these concerns addressed in a manner consistent with Dagbon tradition and custom.

Though the Abudu Youth group admitted that the Duuguyili is the place where the new Ya Na will be ushered in before he finally moves to the Gbewa Palace, Alhaji Mugisu Sibawey stated that the Kampakuya Na blatantly refused to vacate the temporary palace he was occupying during the funeral rites of the late Ya Na Mahamadu Abdulai IV.

He said the conduct of the Kampakuya Na is emboldened by the fact that some top government officials in the Akufo-Addo administration are in bed with him and the Andani royal family.