Some elders of Gbese in Greater Accra have thrown their support behind embattled Gbese Mantse Nii Ayi Bonte II, adding that the chief cannot be forced to resign.

According to the Akwashongtse (Chief Warrior or Field Marshall) of Gbese, Nii Ayi Ardayfio II, “core customary issues cannot be disclosed in public”, adding “the position taken by the Gbese Dzaase brings the matter to a closure” and urged the media to desist from denigrating the person of Nii Ayi Bonte II.

He made this call during a press conference held at the palace of the Gbese Mantse on Friday, December 23, 2016.

This follows calls by the purported spokesperson of the Gbese kingmakers, Nuumo Okai Keteku, who had told the media at a press conference Wednesday that they had given Nii Ayi Bonte II a week’s ultimatum to abdicate.

The Gbese Mantse said at a public gathering before the December 7 polls that he would step down if the Mahama-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) party lost the general elections.

But Nii Ayi Ardayfio II further accused a rival faction of instigating calls for the abdication of the Gbese Mantse and called on the people to repel any moves to create divisions among Gbese indigenes.

“In one breath, we get the impression that these manoeuvres are coming from a frustrated person hiding behind press freedom to say Gbese is divided,” he said

He added that the law courts have spoken on who is the legitimate chief of Gbese and their support is behind Nii Ayi Bonte II.

“We as Gbese Dzaase wish to state that Nii Ayi Bonte II has our support as the legitimate Gbese Mantse and he is still in office,” Nii Ayi Ardayfio II declared on the group’s behalf.

He also claimed that individuals who claimed to be heads of the three royal houses are imposters, adding that the earlier press conference calling on the Gbese Mantse to step down should be disregarded.


Source: Ghana/ClassFMonline.com