Buipe chieftaincy dispute resolved

The people of Buipe in the Central Gonja District of the Northern Region on Wednesday went into raptures amidst jubilation throughout the night, following a ruling at the Northern Regional House of Chiefs in favour of the Salma-wura Abdulai Mahama from the Jinapor Gate.

Two rival gates, the Jinapor Gate and the Lebupe Gate in the Buipe traditional area have for the past two and half years been battling each other in court over the rightful successor to the Buipe skin following the death of the Buipe-wura Chichanko on 17th October 2005.

In September 2006, the Salma-wura Abdulai Mahama was selected by the overlord of Gonjaland, Yagbon-wura Bawa Doshi and his elders, to succeed the late Buipe-wura.

However, the Lebupe Gate sought an injunction at the Tamale High Court preventing the Salma-wura from being enskinned as the Buipe Chief.

According to the Lebupe Gate, the selection of the Salma-wura was illegitimate, because they (Lebupe Gate) have the right to occupy the Buipe skin.

But on Wednesday, the committee sitting on the Buipe chieftaincy dispute, chaired by the Kunbumgu Chief Naa Abu Iddrisu ruled in favour of the Yagbon-wura's nominee, Salma-wura Abdulai Mahama as the chief of Buipe traditional area.

The Lebupe Gate was fined GH¢1,000.

The newly selected Buipe chief, Salma-wura Abdulai in an interview called on the people in the area to bury their differences and forge ahead towards the development of the area.

He commended the peaceful manner both Gates have comported themselves throughout the legal process and urged them to continue being each others keeper for the total benefit of the area.

The former Police officer in-charge of Accra Airport Police Station, noted that, his selection to the Buipe skin represents the total aspirations and hopes of the people in the Buipe Traditional area.

Meanwhile, the Salma-wura, yesterday, was enrolled as a traditional chief of Buipe by the kingmakers in the area.

The enskinment process which started yesterday will end on Sunday, whiles his coronation will come off in October.

Some residents of Buipe who spoke to The Statesman expressed delight that the issue had finally been resolved. Mr. Brobro, a resident in the area told this paper, "Now what is left is to forge ahead with unity and brotherliness among us for peace and development in this area".