Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has asked chiefs in his kingdom who want to engage in partisan politics to first abdicate their stools before doing so.

He warns no chief under his supervision would be allowed to dabble in politics to bring the revered chieftaincy institution into disrepute.

Otumfuo was addressing the last session of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs for this year in Kumasi on Wednesday.

The Asante King’s comments come on the heels of a recent open endorsement of NPP flagbearer, Nana Akufo Addo, by 58 chiefs in Atwima Kwanwoma District.

He told the packed Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs that his intention is not to restrain chiefs from providing reception to politicians who visit their palaces.

According to the Asantehene, chiefs must be guided by the honorable office they hold and live above reproach though there may be temptations, especially during the election campaign season.

He however wants them not be over-excited by freebies that come with such visits and go overboard in their utterances.

Otumfuo says his directive is to preserve the sanctity of the chieftaincy institution established by their fore-fathers.

He says the directive is not restricted to chiefs in Ashanti but those in Volta, Easter, Bono Ahafo and other regions who owe allegiance to the Golden Stool.

Chiefs who flout this warning risk severe sanctions, he warned.