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I have always believed that the best way to counter misinformation is to use the same channel it spread through. Recently, I stumbled upon a Facebook post from the NDC’s Deputy Communications Director in Nanton Constituency, thanking Naa Bapri Zoglana. Chahiyili post read “Thank you Naa Bapir Zoggu Lana.” Curiously, I wondered if the revered Paramount Chief of Zoggu Traditional Area had made a politically significant move benefiting the NDC. However, the post left me and other interested readers in suspense, with no clear explanation despite numerous requests.
Fuseini Sofianu Mandeya, a.k.a. Abu Sof of Radio Tamale swiftly reported on the incident, first on his timeline, and then in a detailed blog post on Dominancenewtv ¹. ( https://www.dominancetv.com/breaking-news-chief-of-zogu-reportedly-bans-nanton-mp-hardi-tuferu-from-his-palace/)
Experience is the best teacher, but some students are slow learners. Tamale bloggers did not take heed from the Afa Madaha-Kakpagiyili case, still reporting and blogging with enormous recklessness. However, they should not forget that not every day is a Monday.
Thankfully, Sofianu’s post and secondary eyewitness accounts offer a deeper understanding of the situation, including the alleged reasons behind the Chief of Zogu’s reported ban of Nanton MP Hardi Tuferu from his palace.
Below is a firsthand account of the incident, transcribed from an audio recording by Zogudoo, a native of Zoggu, shared on WhatsApp in response to the alleged misreporting….
Zoggudoo commenced: ‘Good evening, community members. I would like to address a recent development in Zoggu, which has garnered attention on this platform. To provide context, Rashid has shared images from today’s event at the rally grounds. I will offer a detailed clarification to ensure everyone, near and far, has accurate information.
He continued, “I feel obligated to clarify the recent incident due to the numerous inquiries seeking clarification. It is crucial that eyewitnesses like myself provide a detailed, step-by-step account to set the record straight.”
“To give you some context, I was in Kadua, a farming community within the Zoggu Traditional Area, when the chairman of Sandu approached me and asked, ‘Zoggudoo, are you here while issues are unfolding back home?”
“I inquired about the situation, and the chairman shared that he had heard rumours of the MP’s visit to Zoggu, prompting his return. I was taken aback and asked about the source of the information, which he traced back to Zoggu township Apparently, they had even set up a public address system but dismantled it after Juuna, a palace guy instructed them to cancel the campaign.
“I swiftly left Kadua and arrived in Zoggu at 11:00 am. En route, I met the assembly member and asked about the developments, but he claimed unawareness. After sharing the chairman’s account, he revealed that the MP had actually passed through Zoggu with a convoy, heading towards Jeggun, a neighbouring community.
At the moment, the Assemblyman called Juuna, the son of Zoggu’s Chief, His Royal Highness, to clarify the rumours surrounding the MP’s visit. “Juuna, I heard the MP came for a campaign and was sacked?” The Assemblyman he asked. Juuna replied, “We didn’t ban the MP from campaigning in Zoggu, just from entering the palace.” Intrigued, the Assemblyman pressed for reasons. Juuna explained that they had visited Accra on a mission and needed to contact the MP’s office, but his line was busy. “Not that he ignored us,” Juuna emphasized, “his number was genuinely busy, so he, Juuna, sent a voice message instead. However, the MP did not reply.
Zoggudoo reassured that the chief was not involved, saying, ‘It’s essential to understand that Naa Bapiri Zoggu Lana was kept in the dark about these events
“According to Juuna, his voice message to the MP simply said, ‘Hello MP, I called but your line was busy, so I’m sending you this voice message – please call me back when you get this.’ Juuna clarified that the purpose of reaching out to the MP was to arrange a meeting with H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, not on behalf of Naa Bapiri Zoggu Lana, but rather their own initiative.”
“Zoggudoo emphasized the importance of following protocol when working with leaders. He asked Juuna, ‘Didn’t you use your personal number to call the MP instead of Naa Bapir Zoggu Lana’s? Wouldn’t it have been more prudent to contact the Zoggu Chairman to facilitate communication through other numbers when you could not reach the MP? After all, the MP is unlikely to ignore the Chairman’s call.”
“I had just arrived at the palace when I saw Jegun Naa, a respected community elder, leaving due to the ongoing issue. Earlier that day, I was in Zoggu when the MP visited Tigu and Jeggun Kukuo before returning to Zoggu in the evening to campaign. It’s ironic how some people’s attempts to hinder progress can ultimately lead to greater success. A remarkable turn of events unfolded when the MP visited Zoggu: some NDC youth even switched allegiance to the NPP, donning their shirts and citing the MP’s impactful work in Zoggu township as their reason. Sadly, it’s clear that the controversy was fueled by malice rather than genuine concern for the Zoggu community’s well-being.” Zoggudoo landed a heavy punch!
“During Alhaji Hardi’s visit to the palace, Naa Bapiri Zoggu Lana warmly received him, just as seen in the shared pictures. The chief, with his wise and aged perspective, expressed his disdain for dishonesty and fondly recalled his friendship with the MP’s late father. He assured Alhaji Hardi that, knowing his lineage, he trusted him to be truthful. With a chuckle, Naa Bapiri Zoggu Lana shared that he had instructed his aides to contact the MP, but unfortunately, the call didn’t go through.”
Zoggudoo wrapped up his audio message by emphasizing that the MP’s campaign in Zoggu was unprecedented. “The District Chief Executive (DCE) drove home the point that their visit wasn’t just a publicity stunt but a reminder to the people of Zoggu about the MP’s tangible achievements; the DCE highlighted some notable projects, including:- *Ten Storerooms at Zoggu Market*: A valuable infrastructure boost, confirmed by the crowd, yes- *A Unique, Large Dam*: A significant contribution to the community’s water needs, acknowledged by the crowd, true- *Ultramodern School with Toilet Facility at Kambonnyaanga*: A crucial investment in education, verified by the enthusiastic crowd, exactly so!
“The DCE also touched on ongoing development projects, such as road infrastructure, emphasizing that the NPP government is committed to developing Zoggu. He assured the community that if they needed roads, they should speak up, and the government would deliver.”
Zoggudoo wrapped up his audio message by noting that in politics, the losing side often resorts to violence, which is exactly what’s unfolding in Zoggu.
He shared a concerning incident at a funeral ground in Zoggu, where people openly admitted that Dr. Haliq, the NDC candidate, can not win against the incumbent MP, Mohammed Hardi Tufeiru, so they are trying to create chaos.
Zoggudoo emphasized that his account contradicts the false narratives circulating about the events in Zoggu.
He concluded by mentioning that the MP has moved on to other communities after completing his campaign in Zoggu and ended with a peaceful blessing, “Salaamu alaikum.
Dear reader, take a step back, weigh the facts, and discern the truth. Compare the earlier reports from the NDC propaganda machinery with the eyewitness accounts. Let wisdom guide your judgment, for the truth is like a lion; it will defend itself. A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.
*Compiled by: Communications Directorate, Northern NPP Concerned Youth*.
*Signed: Ahmed Suawi, Communications Director, Northern NPP Concerned Youth*.
