Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, has said gains made in the installation of Ya-Na Abubakari Mahama as the overlord of Dagbon, is being undermined by the unresolved Nanton skin dispute. He said the inability of government to deal with a self-imposed Nanton chief, Zosal Lana, Haruna Sulemana Tia, a former Northern Region Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), whom he claimed has forcefully occupied the town against the person appointed by the Ya-Na. The Minority Leader, said this in Yendi, when he paid a courtesy call on Ya-Na Abubakari Mahama ll, at the Gbewa palace Friday. According to the Tamale South MP, government, which is the main implementing body of the mediation committee’s recommendations, must enforce the decision of the Ya- Naa in order to preserve and consolidate the gains made in the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis by the Asantehene and his eminent counterparts. “It is evident that gains made in the installation of Ya-Na, thanks to the Asantehehe, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and the other eminent chiefs are being undermined by the unresolved issue of Nanton, and the inability to deal with a self-imposed Nanton –Na, who traditionally I’m told did not even bid for it and was appropriately sent to Zosali. “...that is not an ascension of political office, the authority of the Ya-Na is being undermined and that can be fatal to the very unity and cohesion we all aspire and committed to when Ya-Na Abubakari Mahama was enskinned as the Overlord of Dagbon and that is a legitimate concern which must be addressed,“ Haruna Iddrisu said. Mr Iddrisu, also said the events of January 25, 2019, which led to the coronation of the Ya-Na Abubakari Mahama, must be the re-emergence of a strong and united Dagbon state. This he said is one of the best ways we can build Dagbon state and restore it to its pride of place. In April, some residents of Nanton blocked roads leading to the town in protest over the enskinment of Nanton Naa- Mahamadu Bawa, as the new chief of the town, by the overlord of Dagbon. The Youth subsequently backed the Chief of Zosali, Haruna Sulemana Tia, who has illegitimately occupied skin against the Ya-Na’s choice. Split support In July, some 45 out of 57 sub and divisional chiefs of Nanton at a news conference organised at Wovugu a farming community in the Sagnerigu Municipality, appealed to President Akufo-Addo to caution the Zoosal-Lana, to vacate the skin for the rightful occupant, Nanton Naa Mahamudu V. According to the aggrieved chiefs, Zoosal-Lana Haruna Sulemana, “with the backing of some political elements in government, has been holding himself as the chief of Nanton against the approval and authorisation of the Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Na, the appointing authority.” They indicated that in as much as they cherish the prevailing peace in Dagbon and appreciate the efforts of President Akufo-Addo in restoring the peace and unity of the area, they can no longer tolerate the behaviour of the Zoosal-Lana, which is creating division, mistrust, disunity and needless tension among the people. In a reaction to the call by the sub-chiefs, the elders of the town also at a separate press conference, declared their allegiance to the Zoosali Lana, calling on the Ya-Na to rescind his decision and enskin him as the new Nanton Naa. This they maintained, is the only way peace can prevail in the area.