Former Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has extended his condolences to the chiefs and people of the Dagbon Kingdom following the death of Yaa-Naa Abukari Mahama II.

The Head of the Dagbon Kingmakers, Kuga Naa Adam Abdulai II, announced the passing of the revered traditional ruler on Monday, July 13.

Several condolence messages have trickled in online to the family of the Overlord. In a statement released on Monday, July 13, Dr Bawumia noted that the death of the King was not only a loss to his family and the Dagbon Kingdom, but to Ghana as a whole.

He described the late monarch as a unifying leader whose reign brought peace, stability and development to the traditional area.

“To Allah we belong completely and to Him shall we return ultimately. It is with grief that I send my sincere condolences to the Chiefs and people of the Dagbon Kingdom on the passing of Ndan Ya-Na Abukari Mahama II,” parts of the statement read.

Dr Bawumia said the late king assumed the throne during one of the most difficult periods in Dagbon’s history but led the kingdom with wisdom and patience.

“Ndan Ya-Na Abukari II emerged as the King of Dagbon during one of the most challenging periods in Dagbon history, and with ancestral wisdom and patience, he guided the ancient Kingdom towards peace, unity and prosperity,” he said.

Dr Bawumia commended the monarch for his critical role in restoring calm, healing divisions within the kingdom, and upholding his commitment to the growth and development of Dagbon.

“His reign was short but greatly impactful. Through his wise leadership, he united families once broken and healed a society greatly fractured before him. He represented a blend of tradition and modernity perfectly in the way he led Dagbon. He constantly advocated and lobbied for major developmental projects in Dagbon.”

Reflecting on his personal relationship with the late Yaa-Naa, Dr Bawumia said he benefited greatly from the monarch’s counsel during his tenure as Vice President and later as the NPP’s presidential candidate.

“At the personal level, I benefited immensely from his counsel during my time as Vice President of Ghana and later as the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party. It was always an honour to pay him homage at the ancient Gbewaa Palace and to draw from his immeasurable wisdom and guidance.”

Dr Bawumia added that the death of the Dagbon Wura was personally a great loss, and prayed for his family, chiefs and all members of the Dagbon Kingdom to be strengthened.

“His passing marks a great loss to me, to the Dagbon Kingdom, and to Ghana as a whole.

“May Allah comfort his immediate family, the Chiefs and people of Dagbon, and Ghana as a whole. It is a painful affliction,” he said.