— Petitioners claim he is a gazetted chief and cannot hold active party office – seek urgent probe before regional election
Members of the Apinto Royal Family in the Apinto Traditional Area, Wassa Fiase, Western Region, have petitioned the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) against the continued occupation of the office of Western Regional Chairman by *Nana Kwabena Obo II*.
The petition, dated 28th October 2026, also challenges his candidature in the forthcoming NDC Western Regional Chairmanship Election.
*The Petitioners*
The petition was filed by:
1. *Ebusuapanyin Kweku Oduro* – Head of Family, Apinto Royal Family
2. *Mr. Martin Anane* – Member, Apinto Royal Family
3. *Madam Regina Adjei* – Member, Apinto Royal Family
*The Respondent*
The respondent is *Nana Kwabena Obo II*, also known in private life as *Kojo Achempong, a.k.a. Nana Toku*.
According to the petition, he is the *Akyeamehene of the Apinto Traditional Area, Awudua-Apinto, Wassa Fiase*, and presently the *Western Regional Chairman of the NDC*.
*What The Petition Alleges*
The petitioners allege that Nana Kwabena Obo II is a duly enstooled and gazetted chief, enstooled on *28th September 2006*, succeeding the late Nana Kwasi Akwaw II.
They claim he is registered in the *National Register of Chiefs* maintained by the National House of Chiefs, Western Region, under *Serial Number 1135*, with the title Akyeamehene of Apinto Traditional Area.
A certified extract from the National Register of Chiefs showing the entry is attached as an exhibit to the petition.
The petitioners contend that notwithstanding his status as a recognised traditional officeholder, he has actively participated in NDC politics and presently occupies the position of Western Regional Chairman, and is seeking re-election to the same office.
*The Constitutional Argument*
The petition is anchored on *Article 276(1) of the 1992 Constitution*, which provides:
> “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 argue that the provision reflects the constitutional importance of maintaining the dignity, impartiality and neutrality of the institution of chieftaincy.
They also cite *Article 270(1)* on the constitutional protection of chieftaincy, and *Article 277* which defines a chief as a person validly nominated, elected or selected and enstooled, enskinned or installed in accordance with customary law.
The petitioners acknowledge that the express abdication requirement in Article 276(1) is specifically linked to a chief seeking election to Parliament. They say they are not seeking to extend that requirement beyond its wording, but are drawing NEC’s attention to the constitutional implications of a chief’s continued partisan political activity while he remains a chief.
*What They Are Asking NEC To Do*
The petitioners are praying the NEC to grant the following reliefs:
1. *Formal investigation and determination* of the Respondent’s status as a chief and his continued participation in active party politics
2. *Disqualification* from contesting the forthcoming NDC Western Regional Chairmanship Election for so long as he remains a chief and the constitutional prohibition applies
3. *Removal from office* as Western Regional Chairman if NEC determines his continued occupation is inconsistent with Article 276(1), subject to due process
4. *Interim measures* to prevent the electoral process from being concluded before the eligibility question is resolved
5. *Verification* of his traditional status from the appropriate chieftaincy authorities
6. *Written reasons* and notification of NEC’s decision
They also ask that the Respondent be notified and afforded a reasonable opportunity to respond, and that the matter be treated as urgent.
*Petitioners’ Position*
The petitioners say they bring the matter not to undermine chieftaincy or the political rights of any person, but to seek compliance with the Constitution, preserve the sanctity of the Apinto Stool, and protect the integrity of the NDC’s internal electoral process.
Copies of the petition were sent to the NDC National Chairman, National General Secretary, the Minister responsible for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the President of the National House of Chiefs, and the President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs.
