A controversial attempt to establish an Igbo kingdom in Ghana by a Nigerian national has drawn sharp criticism from Dr. Hassan Ayariga, founder and presidential candidate of the All People’s Congress (APC), who believes the move threatens Ghana’s unity and legal sovereignty.
In a press release dated July 8, Dr. Ayariga claimed that an individual of Igbo descent from Nigeria had acquired over 50 acres of land in Ghana to build what he referred to as a personal kingdom. He described the act as not only illegal but a grave threat to Ghana’s national identity and authority. “Ghana is not for sale. Our freedom is not negotiable. Our people deserve better,” Dr. Ayariga declared.
He criticized the move as insensitive, especially in a climate where many Ghanaian youth are struggling with unemployment and housing challenges. For a foreign individual to acquire vast tracts of land for a personal dominion, he said, was both offensive and irresponsible.
Ayariga Demands Full-Scale Probe and Policy Reforms
Dr. Ayariga is calling for swift and decisive action from the state. He demanded that the National Security apparatus and other relevant authorities launch an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the land acquisition.
He further insisted that:
-
All documents and permits linked to the so-called kingdom must be revoked immediately
-
The Nigerian national and any accomplices should face arrest and prosecution
-
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Lands Commission must explain how such a transaction was permitted
-
The government must issue a firm policy directive banning the creation of kingdoms or chieftaincies by foreign nationals
Dr. Ayariga stressed that any action that undermines the authority of the Ghanaian state or creates unauthorized traditional structures cannot be tolerated. “It is both insensitive and offensive for a foreign individual to be permitted to secure vast lands for the creation of a so-called kingdom,” he reiterated.
Sovereignty Is Non-Negotiable
Raising broader concerns about the implications of such developments, Dr. Ayariga warned that Ghana’s openness should not be confused with weakness. He expressed fears that tolerating such initiatives would set a dangerous precedent, weakening the resolve of state institutions and undermining national pride. “Our generous and welcoming spirit must not be misconstrued as weakness,” he warned.
As tensions rise, Ayariga’s demands signal a call for national vigilance against what he sees as creeping infringements on Ghana’s cultural and legal sovereignty.
