A controversial suspension order issued by Togbi Sri III, the Awoamefia, disputed but widely-proclaimed Overlord of Anlo State in the Volta Region has put to suspense the ongoing leadership row among members of the royal family in Anlo, resulting in a soft battle of supremacy.
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The conflict stems from a recent decision by Togbi Sri III to suspend Torgbi Nyaho Tamakloe VI, the Miafiaga of Anlo Dukor and Dufiaga of Whuti, citing acts of disrespect, insubordination, and a breach of oath of allegiance to Awoamefia upon his coronation and swearing-in.
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However, the office of Torgbuiga Wenya III, the Dutor (Founder) of Anlo, vehemently rejected Togbi Sri III’s authority, emphasizing that Togbi Sri III does not hold the legitimate powers of the Overlord of Anlo.
They argued that traditional powers are derived from ancestral pedigree, and Torgbi Sri I was not the founder of Anlo, thereby questioning the basis of Togbi Sri III’s claim to being an Overlord.
The situation escalated further with Togbi Sri III suspending the Nyaho-Tamakloe Stool until further notice, effectively purporting to strip Torgbi Nyaho-Tamakloe of his chief status and privileges within the Anlo community.
In response to the purported suspension of the President of the recently inaugurated Council of the Kome-Shime Traditional Council, Torgbuiga Nyaho Tamakloe VI, a statement copied to the Minister of Chieftaincy and Regional Affairs, the national house of chiefs headquartered in Kumasi, the Attorney General and Minister for Justice among others by Torgbuiga Wenya, reiterated that the Awormefia, Torgbui Sri II is not the overload of Anlo, contrary to his claim and cannot pride himself as such in the face of his uncle being still alive.
“In doing so, you claimed to be the Overload of Anlo. We take the opportunity to once again remind you that you are not the Overload of Anlo and you can never exercise those powers at a time that your uncle Dutor Torgbiga Wenya III is on the throne of his ancestors Dutor Torgbiga Wenya I.
To put it figuratively: you cannot live in your material uncle’s house and declare yourself to be the landlord in his presence. It is never done. Traditional powers are derivative of ancestral pedigree. Kponoe alias Torgbi Sri I was not the founder of Ano, so from where do you derive your claim of being an Overload?”, the statement noted.
The office reminded the Awoamefia of Anlo, Torgbi Sri III that he had no such power to carry out the purported suspension.
The statement further entreated the Royal Adzovia Clan to take interest in the issue and settle the differences between the two functions so not to degenerate into a full blown upheaval.
“Flowing from the foregoing, the powers that you purported to have exercised in the reference matter are not available to you under Anlo customs and traditions since the founding of Anlo kingdom some 400 years ago till date
We take the opportunity and call on all well-meaning members of the Royal Adzovia Clan to act quickly to resolve the impasse between you and Miafiaga Toggbi Nyaho Tamakloe VI before it degenerates and becomes cancerous infesting the body polity of the Anlo State thereby making us a mockery to the rest of the world”, the rejoinder said in conclusion.
As tensions rise within the Anlo State, the two factions have called on the involvement of various authorities, including the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the National House of Chiefs, and the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, to mediate and resolve the conflict before it destabilizes the Anlo State.
In response to the escalating crisis, the Nyaho Tamakloe Family announced that the Stool Father would not be available for a planned meeting with Togbi Sri III due to medical reasons, suggesting that a resolution to the conflict may be delayed.
The Anlo community now stands at a crossroads as it grapples with the specter of division and uncertainty in its traditional leadership.
The eyes of the nation are on Anlo, as the resolution of this conflict will not only impact the stability and development of the Anlo State but also the wider traditional governance landscape of the Volta Region.