Kampakuya Naa Yakubu Abukari
Kampakuya Naa Yakubu Abukari has been enskinned as the Regent of Dagbon following the death of the Overlord of Dagbon, Ndan Ya Naa Abukari Mahama II.
Hundreds of sympathisers and mourners gathered at the Gbewa Palace in Yendi to witness the ceremony.
Naa-Yab Kuga Naa, together with the kingmakers and elders of the Gbewa Palace, led the customary rituals in accordance with Dagbon tradition, amid drumming, gun salutes and other cultural performances.
After the rituals, the kingmakers presented the newly enskinned regent to the public at a durbar ground at the palace.
President John Dramani Mahama, former Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and National Chief Imam Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, among others attended the enskinment.
About 600 police personnel were deployed to the Gbewa Palace to maintain security and ensure the ceremony proceeded without disruption.
I Will Not Destroy What My Father Built
Kampakuya Naa Abukari Yakubu, promised not to destroy the legacy of his late father, the Overlord of Dagbon, Ndan Ya Naa Abukari Mahama II.
“I will not destroy what my father built. Not a single bridge he constructed will be burned under my watch, no relationship he nurtured will be abandoned, and no community he reconciled will be returned to conflict. The peace of Dagbon is not his gift alone; it is our collective inheritance, and I will guard it with every resource and authority at my disposal,” he said.
Kampakuya Naa Abukari Yakubu pledged to embrace and uphold the rotational arrangement for chieftaincy succession in Dagbon.
“My father demonstrated this wisdom when he enskinned more Abudu chiefs than Andani chiefs during his reign, choosing the kingdom’s peace over gate advantage.
“When the time comes to enskin a new King and Overlord, the process will follow the agreed path transparently, faithfully, and in accordance with both tradition and the peace compact that has given Dagbon its stability,” he stated.
President John Dramani Mahama who was the special guest of honor, described the late Overlord, Ndan Ya Naa Abukari Mahama II, as a man of reconciliation and pledged support for the new Regent.
“I pledge to work closely with you, the Regent of Dagbon to help fulfill your father’s dream and to continue all developmental projects,” he assured.
Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, (NPP), Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, urged Kampakuya Naa Abukari Yakubu to sustain the peace legacy his late father championed and wished him well as the regent of Dagbon.
The late Overlord, Ndan Ya Naa Abukari Mahama II, died in South Africa on June 11, 2026 where he had traveled for medical treatment after a short illness.
FROM Eric Kombat, Yendi