Konor of Yilo Krobo, Oklepeme Nuer Anorbaa Sasraku II
Correspondence from the Eastern Region
The Nuer Royal Family and the Paramountcy of Yilo Krobo in the Eastern Region have strongly dismissed recent claims suggesting that the Konor of Yilo Krobo, Oklepeme Nuer Anorbaa Sasraku II, has abdicated or been destooled, describing the assertions as “false, customarily invalid and procedurally defective.”
The rebuttal is contained in a detailed press release dated January 20, 2026, issued in response to a series of recent publications, public statements and ritual actions attributed to some divisional and sub-divisional chiefs, as well as certain queen mothers.
These actions, according to the Royal Family, were designed to undermine the authority, dignity and continued occupancy of the Paramount Stool.
The controversy intensified after some divisional authorities publicly insinuated that the Konor had “self-destooled.”
The Royal Family categorically rejected this claim, stressing that neither custom nor law recognises self-destoolment.
“At no point does custom permit divisional chiefs to declare that a Konor has abdicated, renounced the stool, or been removed,” the statement said.
Addressing allegations that the Konor failed to perform stool rituals, the Royal Family described the claims as “malicious and unfounded.”
It explained that the Konor has performed all required rituals from the period preceding his installation through to his entry into the palace and continues to observe them as custom demands.
While acknowledging the temporary absence of formally designated stool priests and priestesses, the family clarified that this transitional issue does not invalidate ritual observance and is being regularised in accordance with tradition.
Libation, sacrificial rites, and the use of schnapps, where required, have all been duly performed, including during the Wa Yaa Dorm Festival held under the Konor’s authority.
Claims that the Konor cursed divisional chiefs or interfered with divisional stool rites were also rejected.
The Royal Family stated that each division independently performs its own rituals, while the Konor confines himself strictly to those of the Paramount Stool. Any suggestion of interference, it said, is fabricated.
On allegations that the Konor renounced the stool following a public Christian pronouncement, the Royal Family clarified that the statement was made strictly within a religious context and was never intended to signify abdication.
Extracting isolated phrases and presenting them as a renunciation, the family said, amounts to deliberate misrepresentation.
Significant attention was also given to narratives surrounding the Paramount Kuntu.
The Royal Family explained that while each division controls its own Kuntu, the Paramount Kuntu falls exclusively under the authority of the Paramount Stool. Claims that it has been destroyed, darkened, or tampered with were described as entirely false.
The statement further condemned a recent ritual reportedly performed at a public lorry station involving the slaughtering of a sheep to “cancel” oaths of allegiance to the Paramount Stool. According to the Royal Family, such an act is unknown to Krobo custom and has no customary or legal effect.
In response to the growing public confusion, the Royal Family confirmed that the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs has been formally notified of the situation, including recent publications and declarations by some divisional chiefs purporting to announce a self-destoolment.
The notification, the family said, is intended to place the accurate customary position on record.
The Royal Family also disclosed that respected elders, including Brigadier General Akpatsu (rtd), Air Commander Wayo (rtd), Desmond Afutu and Sam Quarshie, attempted to mediate the dispute.
These efforts, it said, were rejected, raising concerns about the true motivations behind the agitation.
Finally, the family raised alarm over alleged political interference, claiming credible reports suggest some political actors are encouraging opposition to the Konor.
While reaffirming their non-partisan stance, the Royal Family warned that politicising traditional authority poses a serious threat to peace.
“The Konor has not been destooled. The stool of Yilo Krobo is not vacant,” the statement concluded, calling on all parties to return to due process and uphold tradition.
