Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has said he will not be drawn into commenting on the Bawku chieftaincy dispute, citing concerns about maintaining peace while mediation efforts continue. Mr Ayariga, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, said his decision to remain silent was deliberate and aimed at preventing further tension in the conflict-prone area.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Third Meeting of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament on Friday, he explained that he had also stayed away from his constituency to avoid making remarks that could inflame passions or complicate ongoing peace efforts. He stressed that sensitive local issues should be addressed through established mediation channels rather than public commentary.
The mediation process, led by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, recently reaffirmed Asigri Abugurago Azoka II as the legitimate Bawku Naba and recommended that rival chief Seidu Abagre be reassigned to a traditional role in Nalerigu, with government support to enforce peace. While the Ghanaian government has accepted the report as a roadmap for reconciliation, the Mamprugu Overlord, Nayiri, has rejected its findings.