The Savannah Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alhaji Sulemana Iddrisu, also known as Professor Kalamonia, has expressed concern over chiefs in Gonjaland allegedly campaigning for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential candidate, John Mahama.

He advised the chiefs to maintain neutrality in political matters and avoid actions that could influence the electorate’s decisions ahead of the December 7, 2024 elections.

Speaking in an interview, Alhaji Sulemana Iddrisu warned that chiefs involved in political campaigning risk undermining their roles as traditional leaders. He emphasized the need for chiefs to serve as custodians of the land and ensure that citizens exercise their voting rights freely and without intimidation.

“Chiefs are supposed to remain neutral when it comes to politics, but some have aligned themselves with political parties,” he stated.

Alhaji Sulemana Iddrisu also noted that while the NPP values the leadership of traditional authorities in Gonjaland, the party will not overlook instances where chiefs engage in partisan activities. He commended the Overlord of Gonjaland, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewusoale I, for staying neutral during the lead-up to the elections.

On the political landscape, he compared the constituency numbers between the NPP and the NDC. He highlighted that the NDC Presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, has 30 constituencies combined from his home region and that of his running mate. In contrast, the NPP Presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and his running mate, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, have a combined total of 86 constituencies from their respective regions.

Alhaji Sulemana Iddrisu urged residents of the Savannah Region to consider the region’s creation under the NPP government and support the party to complete its development initiatives.