DAILY GUIDE sources have revealed that supporters of Buipewura Abdulai Mahama Jinpor II and Bawa Jewu Awushi Lebu II are stockpiling arms for a possible showdown if security measures are not put in place to avert the situation.
At the time of the paper’s visit to Buipe, it was reported that two persons had been shot but had allegedly been transported to Tamale for medical attention.
It was however gathered that the latest upheaval in the area was as a result of Buipewura Jinapor II’s plan to celebrate the Damba festival.
DAILY GUIDE was told that he had scheduled his celebrations for this weekend, which was to be preceded by a traditional funfair, but it was disrupted midway by some persons believed to be members of the opposing side.
The two chiefs at the centre of the controversy recognize themselves as the rightful occupants of the Buipe Skin, with the Gonja Traditional Council throwing its weight behind Bawa Jewu Awushi Lebu II, while a Tamale High Court II had ruled that Abdulai Mahama Jinapor II was the legitimate chief of the area.
DAILY GUIDE, in its earlier publications on the matter, expressed possible reprisal between supporters of both factions, due to the impending Damba festival, which requires that all chiefs partake.
The festival, which showcases the rich culture of Gonjaland, is usually led by the chiefs of the respective areas, but its celebration in Buipe has been greeted with violence as both chiefs hold themselves rightful celebrants of the grand event.
The insecurity however comes in the wake of the postponement of the hearing of a contempt case filed in a Tamale High Court against Bawa Jewu Awushi Lebu II, who has assumed the position of Buipewura.
Buipewura Abudulai Jinapor II had dragged Bawa Jewu Awushi Lebu II to court on contempt charges after the latter was alleged to have paraded himself as Buipewura, despite the fact that the court had declared the former the true Buipewura.
A Tamale High Court presided over by Justice Kwame Ansu-Gyeabuor was to rule on the matter, but indicated that the respondents in the contempt case had not been served.
The judge therefore adjourned the case to March 14, 2011 to enable the respondents in the case to be served with a writ of summons.
Meanwhile, armed security personnel have been deployed to Buipe to restore calm and avert any possible clash between supporters of both chiefs.
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