The Upper East Regional House of Chiefs says it does not recognize any of the two persons who are claiming legitimacy to the title of Bolga Naba.
Last week, two persons were enskined at different ceremonies to replace the late Bolga Naaba, Martin Abilba III who died in September 2013.
The two claimants are Raymond Alafia Abilba, 50, a lawyer by profession and a 35-year-old Sales Executive of the Ghana Cement Company Limited (GHACEM) in charge of the Northern and Upper East regions, Joseph Apakre.
Due to recent disturbances in the area, there was heavy security presence during the two ceremonies for fear of possible clashes between the supporters of the two claimants to the skin.
Speaking to Citi News however, the President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, Naba Segiri Bewong said his outfit does not recognize the two individuals as legitimate Bolga Naba.
He argued that none of them has completed the enskinment procedure which is the submission of Chieftaincy Declaration Forms for scrutiny and determination of who is the rightful claimant to the skin.
“They have to come properly before us because that will enable us serve the papers for recognition by the National House of Chiefs and once you are recognized, you will take three oaths for admission into the House,” he explained.
Naba Segiri Bewong pointed out that the two claimants “cannot just talk and say they are chiefs without completing the process.”
He said the Regional House of Chiefs is waiting for them to submit the said forms but in the end, “only one has to be the Bolga Naba so we are waiting for the two to come.”
He warned that if they refuse to come before the Regional House of Chiefs, “we are not taking any oath for a membership in the House. We are not recognizing them. They have to complete the process of enskinment.”
“Anyone who doesn’t go through the necessary procedure is not recognized by the National House of Chiefs,” he added.
By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @osamidan