The Chiefs and Elders of the Wasipe Traditional Area of Gonja in the Savannah Region have rejected an apology by Samuel Yeyu Tika, the Savannah Region Deputy Minister-designate.
Mr. Tika last Friday sent a powerful delegation of Imams and prominent Gonjas based in Tamale to Daboya, capital of the Wasipe Traditional Area to plead for forgiveness on his behalf over some issues but received a cold response from the Chiefs.
The Gonja Imam in Tamale who led Samuel Tika’s delegation was told to go and inform Tika to come to Daboya himself for certain issues to be thrashed out before he assumes office.
Information available indicates that the Youth of Daboya will organise a press conference in the coming days to expose the negative activities of Samuel Tika leading to a clash between Gonjas and Tampulmas that resulted in the burning of some communities.
The press conference will also let the world know the Deputy Minister-designate’s negative activities prior to the referendum for the creation of the Savannah Region.
It was disclosed that Samuel Tika was a signatory to a petition against the creation of the Savannah Region and that when the Savannah Region campaigners got to his community they were nearly beaten allegedly by his orders.
It has also come to light that Samuel Tika’s influence was such that only 50 people came out to vote at his polling station during the referendum for the creation of the Savannah Region even though the polling station has about 200 voters and that out of 50 votes 11 voted ‘Yes’ and 29 voted ‘No’.
There are even unconfirmed reports that an Electoral Commission official at Samuel Tika’s polling station marked Samuel Tika’s ballot paper and during the counting, they traced it and realised he voted ‘No’ for the Savanna Region.
A leading member of the NPP at Daboya is also under heat for supporting the appointment of Samuel Tika.
It is said one Tampulma man called Danladi and the said leading member of the NPP were pencilled for the Deputy Minister position but the Presidency said they needed someone from a minority ethnic group in the Savanna Region and so the leading member was consulted after his name was struck out and he suggested Samuel Tika instead of Danladi who is seen as a unifier and a moderate Tampulama.
According to reports, the prominent person from North Gonja liaised with the Vice President Muhamudu Bawumia’s office to change the name of Danladi at the last minute even though he is the one that would have been widely accepted.
It is alleged Samuel Tika went round his polling station encouraging the people to vote ‘No’ for the Savannah Region.
By: Umar Zion/awakenewsonline.com