Bye-election looms: NPP MP enskinned as Tongo chief

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Talensi in the Upper East region Robert Nachinab Doaneng has been enskinned as the paramount chief of Tongo.

He succeeds the late Tongo-Raana Sapaalug-Namalteng Boara Yenga Kolbil. He once contested the skin in May 2007 but lost to the late chief.

Doaneng has already declared his intention not to contest the seat but has remained silent over his resignation since the Constitution bars chiefs from active politics.

Article 276 of the 1992 Constitution states: (1) A chief shall not take part in active party politics; and any chief wishing to do so and seeking election to Parliament shall abdicate his stool or skin.

(2) Notwithstanding clause (1) of this article and paragraph (c) of clause (3) of article 94 of this Constitution, a chief may be appointed to any public office for which he is otherwise qualified.

Article 277 adds: In this Chapter unless the context otherwise requires, "chief" means a person, who, hailing from the appropriate family and lineage, has been validly nominated, elected or selected and enstooled, enskinned or installed as a chief or queen mother in accordance with the relevant customary law and usage.

Starr News understands Robert Alibo, Thomas Doanaab and Williams Zuugah are potential candidates who have shown interest to contest the parliamentary primaries to replace Doaneng.