I won’t disrespect Yagbonwura my overlord — Samuel Jinapor

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, has assured the Overlord of Gonjaland, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale, and all chiefs in the area that he reveres royalty and will not act in disregard of his traditional authority.

The Damongo Member of Parliament (MP), therefore, said he would take all steps to iron out any differences that were causing disaffection between him and the Gonjaland. In an interview with the Daily Graphic yesterday, he stressed that the Yagbonwura remained a father figure and an inspiration to him.

“For me, the fundamental point I would like to make is that the Yagbonwura is my father, my grandfather, my Overlord and there is absolutely nothing that I or anyone else can do about that. I continue to have huge regard and respect for Yagbonwuras in the past and this current Yagbonwura in particular,” he said.

Context

Mr Jinapor spoke to the Daily Graphic against the backdrop of emerging disaffection for him which led the Yagbonwura to allegedly restrict him from accessing all palaces in Gonjaland.

There were media reports that the Yagbonwura had said the sanction against the lawmaker was a result of his alleged “disrespect and insubordination” against his authority and the Yagbon skin.

Daily Graphic’s Northern Regional Correspondent, Mohammed Fugu, last Sunday reported that the Yagbonwura accused Mr Jinapor of “Using the powers of the executive to circumvent the traditional authority and orders of the Yagbonwura in an attempt to evade accountability and to counter the orders so given by the Yagbonwura.” 

Response

However, Mr Jinapor told the Daily Graphic that contrary to that perception, he had total respect and submission to the chieftaincy institution and would never underestimate the authority of the skin.

“I have extraordinary respect, regard and reverence for the chieftaincy institution generally and I have demonstrated it in all humility and honesty as a minister,” he stated.

Touching on the way forward, the minister said he would take the necessary steps to resolve any bad blood between him and the Yagbonwura or the kingdom to ensure peace and tranquillity.

He explained that what had resulted in the seeming bad blood was “some miscommunication and unfortunate misunderstanding of some issues.”

“I will consult and seek guidance on the way forward for normalcy to prevail so that all stakeholders can continue to work together to bring development to the people of Damongo and the Savannah Region as a whole,” he added.

Peace

Mr Jinapor called for peace and unity in Gonjaland and Damongo in particular, as that was the best way to pursue a common development agenda.

He added that as the MP for Damongo, he remained committed to ensuring that any unfortunate tendency that had the potential to hold back development was dealt with amicably.