NDC Primaries: Abudu-Andani politics rock Sagnarigu; group bares teeth at pro-ABA crusader

Some members of the Sagnarigu Constituency in the Northern Region, known as Sagnarigu Concerned Grassroots, have chastised their former Deputy Northern Regional Communications Officer, Iddrisu Hardi Pagaza, for his engagement in what they described as Abudu-Andani politics – seeking to divide supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) along Abudu and Andani Chieftaincy gates.

The group accused Mr. Pagaza of destroying the NDC with Abudu-Andani politics” by tagging some candidates of the Sagnarigu parliamentary primaries as Abudu, thereby pitching the Andani Family against the Abudu Family.

They described the comments as irresponsible and reckless, and are therefore calling on the leadership of the NDC to rein him in.

“The Sagnarigu Concerned NDC Grassroots has noted with grave concern, the comments by the immediate past Deputy Northern Regional Communications Officer of our party, NDC,  Iddrisu Hardi Pagaza, who on a video is captured speaking on behalf of Hon. A. B. A. Fuseini’s campaign team that they will resort to chieftaincy politics (Abudu and Andani) in our peaceful constituency, Sagnarigu NDC, which we deem troubling and condemnable.

In a viral video where the gentleman was seen addressing supporters of the incumbent Member of Parliament, at the MP’s residence after filing his nomination forms to contest for the upcoming parliamentary primaries of our party on 22nd March 2023, Hardi Pagazaa who should know better was heard tagging some candidates in the upcoming Sagnarigu constituency parliamentary primaries as members of Abudu family, inciting Andani Yili against Abudu Yili,” the press release issued by the Chairman and Secretary of the Constituency said.

The statement went on to chastise him for the comment and ask that he be penalized in the interest of the party.

“The Sagnarigu Concerned NDC Grassroots condemns this irresponsible and reckless comment in no uncertain terms. The said gentleman is noted for this kind of politics, the reason nobody in Northern Region takes him seriously anymore.

We are calling on the NDC leadership in Sagnarigu Constituency, Regional and National offices to call Hardi Pagaza to order since he does not belong to the constituency, for we believe his actions will deepen the seemingly crack within the NDC in the Sagnarigu Constituency, which we cannot allow happening,” they demanded.

The Abudu Family and the Andani Family are the two royal families of Dagbon, who take turns becoming Kings of the people of Dagbon. A protracted conflict had ensued between the two families but has now been resolved. Experts have warned that politicization or dragging families into politics can renew the conflict and compromise the peace of the area.