The Long Exiled chief of Nungua; Nii Odai Ayiku IV, has stated that his being away for a long time was due to lies fabricated about him to the former president that he was not in support of his government then.

He added that on realizing that his life was in danger, he had no other option than to leave the country. “I was chased out of the country”.

The Nungua Mantse made these statements in an interview with The Chronicle at his residence in Accra over the weekend.

He noted that in his absence others claimed to be chiefs of Nungua, who did not even come from the royal family and were just causing confusion.

Nii Odai Ayiku IV explained that, when he was chased out, another person was declared as the substantive chief and an executive instrument prohibiting him as the Nungua Mantse was issued, although he had not resigned. Shortly, the new chief died and the seat again became vacant for him to occupy it.

Asked why Nungua was divided,, the chief said nobody could occupy the seat since he had not submitted a letter of resignation whilst he was away neither had he been destolled.

“Obviously you cannot claim to be occupant of the stool when it is not vacant”.

He cautioned all other imposters to stop all forms of impersonation because he still remained in his position and had no intentions of resigning.

Nii Odai Ayiku IV had been in exile for about twenty years. Whilst he was away, he worked as a social worker and still remained as the Nungua Mantse.

The Nungua mantse was enstooled in March 25, 1958 and gazzeted. The same year some elders in the town wanted to destool him but he went into exile in London for twenty years and has now come back to be enstooled as the chief of Nungua.

After the High Court and the Ga Traditional Council found no fault with him, he was finally declared as the current Mantse of Nungua to operate various functions in the town.

He has entreated all citizens of Nungua to commit themselves to the settlement of all issues using consultation and dialogue rather than the public exchange of claims that send confusing signals to the people.