The Managing Editor of the Al Hajj newspaper Alhaji Iddrisu Bature has opined that the 1992 Constitution does not bar chiefs from expressing their opinion on political issues. According to him, attempts by some groups to restrict chiefs from commenting on political issues would amount to gagging and infringing on their rights to freedom of speech. “They are Ghanaians; they have the right to free speech. The only thing they cannot do according to the Constitution is take up political office” he said. His comments comes after Osabarima Adusei Peasah, Akyem Tafohene, purported to be speaking on behalf of Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II endorsed a second term bid of President J.E.A. Mills. Osabarima Adusei Peasah at a durbar at the Abuakwa State College prior to the President's inauguration of a new six-unit classroom block stated that, given the current pace of development in ‘Akyem Abuakwa’, it would be prudent they vote massively for President Mills in the 2012 elections to continue his good works in the region. Aside that, President Mills has received massive endorsement from some chiefs across the country during his familiarization tour to commission and initiate new projects as part of his Better Ghana Agenda. Some critics especially from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP)have condemned the chiefs' endorsements of President Mills for 2012 arguing that, the chieftaincy institution is sacred and must not allow politics to dent its image. Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tuesday, Alhaji Bature stated that the chiefs are just expressing gratitude for the massive infrastructural developments in their towns by the Mills-led administration in just two years. He said chiefs do not operate in a vacuum and would always have cooperate with the government of the day to acquire the needed developmental projects for the people they represent. “As a chief, you cannot say you will not cooperate with the government of the day; that would be suicidal”he added. The NDC sympathizer asked why it is necessary for politicians to pay homage to chiefs during their campaign tours to seek the mandate of the people if they don’t see them (chiefs) as part of the electoral process. Alhaji Bature observed that there is nothing wrong with the chiefs endorsing President Mills because “it is African, it is Ghanaian, it is part of our culture and heritage long before we taught of drafting the Constitution”. He took a swipe at the NPP for blowing it out of proportion because most of the endorsements are from chiefs from the Ashanti region which is their strong hold. Story by: Adwoa Gyasiwaa/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana