Royal family asks NDC to bar chief from Western Regional chairmanship race

Members of the Apinto Royal Family in the Apinto Traditional Area of Wassa Fiase in the Western Region have petitioned the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), calling for the disqualification of the party’s Western Regional Chairman, Nana Kwabena Obo II, over his alleged involvement in active party politics despite being a recognised traditional ruler.

The petition, dated October 28, 2026, challenges Nana Kwabena Obo II’s continued occupation of the regional chairmanship position and his eligibility to contest in the forthcoming NDC Western Regional Chairmanship Election.

The petitioners, Ebusuapanyin Kweku Oduro, Head of the Apinto Royal Family, alongside Martin Anane and Regina Adjei, contend that the respondent's alleged participation in active party politics contravenes Article 276(1) of the 1992 Constitution, which prohibits chiefs from taking part in active party politics.

According to the petition, Nana Kwabena Obo II, also known in private life as Kojo Achempong, popularly known as Nana Toku, is the Akyeamehene of the Apinto Traditional Area, Awudua-Apinto, in the Wassa Fiase Traditional Area.

The petitioners allege that he was duly enstooled on September 28, 2006, succeeding the late Nana Kwasi Akwaw II, and subsequently gazetted as a chief.

They further claim that his name appears in the National Register of Chiefs maintained by the National House of Chiefs, Western Region, under Serial Number 1135, with the traditional title of Akyeamehene of the Apinto Traditional Area.

A certified extract from the National Register of Chiefs, which the petitioners say confirms his traditional status, has reportedly been attached to the petition as supporting evidence.

The family argues that despite his status as a recognised traditional officeholder, Nana Kwabena Obo II has remained actively involved in partisan politics and currently serves as the NDC's Western Regional Chairman while seeking another term in office.

At the centre of the petition is Article 276(1) of the 1992 Constitution, which states:

“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.”

The petitioners maintain that the constitutional provision is intended to preserve the dignity, impartiality and neutrality of the chieftaincy institution by preventing traditional rulers from engaging in active partisan politics.

They also rely on Article 270(1), which guarantees the institution of chieftaincy, together with Article 277, which defines a chief as a person who has been validly nominated, elected or selected and enstooled, enskinned or installed in accordance with the relevant customary law and usage.

While acknowledging that the express requirement for abdication under Article 276(1) specifically applies to a chief seeking election to Parliament, the petitioners argue that the constitutional restriction on chiefs participating in active party politics remains relevant to Nana Kwabena Obo II's position as a regional party chairman.

They insist that their complaint is not an attempt to extend the constitutional provision beyond its express wording but rather a call for the NDC leadership to examine the implications of a recognised chief holding an active partisan political office.

The Apinto Royal Family is asking the NDC National Executive Committee to initiate a formal investigation into Nana Kwabena Obo II's traditional status and his continued participation in active party politics.

Among other reliefs, the petitioners are seeking his disqualification from contesting the forthcoming Western Regional Chairmanship Election for as long as he remains a chief and the alleged constitutional prohibition applies.

They are also asking the NEC to consider his removal from office as Western Regional Chairman if it determines that his continued occupation of the position is inconsistent with Article 276(1), subject to due process.

Additionally, the family wants the party leadership to introduce interim measures to prevent the electoral process from being concluded before the question of the respondent's eligibility is resolved.

2028 Elections: NDC projected to lose 29 parliamentary seats - Global InfoAnalytics

The petitioners have further called for verification of Nana Kwabena Obo II's traditional status through the appropriate chieftaincy authorities, as well as written reasons and formal notification of the NEC's eventual decision.

They have also requested that the respondent be formally notified of the complaint and given a reasonable opportunity to respond to the allegations.

In explaining their decision to petition the party's national leadership, the Apinto Royal Family says its action is not intended to undermine the institution of chieftaincy or the political rights of any individual.

Rather, they maintain that the petition is aimed at ensuring constitutional compliance, preserving the sanctity of the Apinto Stool and safeguarding the integrity of the NDC's internal electoral process.

The family has consequently urged the NEC to treat the matter as urgent, particularly in view of the forthcoming regional chairmanship election and the need to resolve the eligibility question before the electoral process is concluded.

AM

SayItLoud: Newly constructed road turns Nsakina into a nightmare whenever it rains