Political parties from all sides of the political divide, former Ministers and DCEs of both the NDC and NPP, as well as the 6 Members of Parliament in the proposed North East Region, have joined the Overlord of Mamprugu, Naa Bohigu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga to call for an overwhelming ‘Yes’ vote in Thursday’s referendum.

Supported by the former government appointees, the six MPs – Hajia Alima Mahama (NPP, Nalerigu); Hon Solomon Namlit Boar (NPP, Bunkpurugu); Hon Dr Sagre Bambangi (NPP, Walewale); Hon Samuel Abdulai Jabanyite (NDC, Chereponi); Hon Joseph Bipoba Naabu (NDC, Yunyoo); and Hon Ibrahim Tanko Abdul-Rauf (NDC, Yagaba-Kubori) – urged residents of the proposed region to turn out in their numbers to endorse the recommendation of the Justice Brobbey Commission for the creation of the new region.

They re-echoed the call by the Nayiri for a 100% ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum, saying it would be a reflection of the people's desire to have a region of their own in order to accelerate the area's development.

The Mamprugu overlord made the call at a colourful durbar on Wednesday, 26 December 2018, when Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, paid a courtesy call on him at his palace in Nalerigu.

According to the Nayiri, the time had come to actualise the long-held dream for a region, which would, among others, create jobs in the kingdom.

In brief remarks after the courtesy call, Vice-President Bawumia said the referendum was a "historic" one, which would impact generations yet unborn.

He urged the electorate in all the six proposed regions to turn up early to cast their vote, emphasising that turnout was a major determining factor in the outcome of the ballot.