Tension In Andani Family Over Roadmap For Peace In Dagbon

There is a roaring tension in the Andani family of Dagbon State over a proposed date, plans  and venue for the performance of the funeral rites of some two late Dagbon Royals.

It has been gathered that the Asantehene-led committee of eminent chiefs at a meeting last week in Kumasi, resolved that the final funeral rites of the late Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II and Naa Abdulai Mahamadu VII should be performed in the old Gbewaa Palace.

The Gulpke Naa Alhassan Abdulai in an interview with some section of the media opposed the supposed decision and accused the Asantehene Otumfour Osei Tutu II of acting contrary to the customs and traditions of Dagbon by sanctioning such orders.

The Tamale overlord went further that the Andani family will resist any attempts to perform the funeral rites of the late chiefs unless the killers of the late Yaa- Naa Yakubu Andani II were arrested and prosecuted 

The Gulpke Naa who said he was speaking on behalf of the Andani family revealed that the family flatly and roundly rejected the Otumfour suggestion

Naa Alhassan Abdulai warned any attempt to implement the decision of performing the funerals without arresting and prosecuting the alleged murderers of the late Yaa Naa Yakubu II could endanger national security

And just after the Gulpke Naa's interview, the chief of Savulugu Yoo Naa Abukari VII in a press release expressed anger and shock at his brother's statements

The Yoo Naa among other things declared that the Gulpke Naa was not a member of Andani Royal Family and that the overlord of Tamale knows nothing about the Andani family and never at any point been authorized to speak on behalf of the Andani family

The Yoo Naa believes the demand for the murderers would even grow louder after the funeral rites of the late overlord is performed and a new Ya-Naa is installed

He outlined therefore that the Gulpke Naa statement should be disregarded since according to the Yoo Naa are his personal opinion and not that of the Andani family

He said the Andani family were committed to efforts by government and  the Otumfour committee to ensure the burial of the two late chiefs

But in a counter press conference by Andani Royal house and senior chiefs of Dagbon State together with the the children of the late Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II, they also said the Yoo Naa was not the head of the Andani family and that the KampakuaNaa was the head of the family

They schooled the Yoo Naa on the difference between Head of Andani Family and Andani Royal Family which they said defined the character of the coalition of forces that have been in the forefront of the struggle throughout the ages in defence of Dagbon traditions and customs and for Justice for the Andani family

They added that the 'Andani Family' is a generic one encompassing the core and extended family as well as all those Dagomba who sympathizer with, and support the Andani Royal Gate in connection with the historical injustices its members have suffered and have continue to suffer

In essence, the senior chiefs and children of the late chief are kicking against the decision to perform the funeral rites until the arrest and prosecution of the killers of Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II

The statement was read by Galwei, Tamale Naa O.S Mahamadu in presence were the Tolon Naa, Gulpke Naa, Kasulana  and other senior chiefs

The Children of the late Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II also served warning to deal with any chief who will act, speak or go contrary to what was presented by the Andani Royal House Members

One of the sons of the late Yakubu Andani II said "Our position is that we don't have any Head apart from the our brother the KampakuaNaa who is also the regent of Dagbon and our position is that we are not going to allow anybody to perform the funeral out father unless they arrest the perpetrators and we own no apology to anyone.

" Those who are in support of the decision by the Asantehene and the government we know them them now they are exposing themselves. They are part of the killers "