The Member of Parliament for Tolon, Hon. Habib Iddrisu, has paid an emotional tribute to the late Tolon Naa, Retired Major Sulemana, describing him as a symbol of justice, unity, discipline and fairness whose legacy will endure in Dagbon and beyond.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament, the Tolon MP recounted the late traditional ruler’s exceptional leadership and his commitment to the welfare and development of his people.

According to Habib Iddrisu, the late Tolon Naa was known for his principled approach to traditional governance, particularly his stance against the sale of customary lands.

“Tolon is about 15 to 20 minutes from Tamale. He has never in his lifetime sold land to anybody,” the MP stated.

He explained that rather than selling land, the late chief would ask applicants what they intended to use the land for before allocating it for the stated purpose.

The MP said this approach reflected the late chief’s commitment to responsible land management and community development.

A Chief for All

Hon. Habib Iddrisu described the late Retired Major Sulemana as a traditional leader who commanded respect across Ghana’s political divide.

He said politicians from both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), as well as members of other political parties, respected the late chief because of his perceived fairness and impartiality.

“He is the only traditional ruler I know who commands universal respect from all political divides,” he said.

According to him, the late chief demonstrated that it was possible to uphold justice and fairness without fear or favour.

The MP noted that the late chief’s traditional court was not a place of oppression but one where people could seek justice, adding that the rich and poor, young and old, commoners and royals were treated with equal respect.

A Leader Who Lived Unity

Habib Iddrisu further praised the late Tolon Naa for not merely preaching unity but embodying it through his actions.

He said the chief consistently encouraged his people to remain united and worked to promote peace within the traditional area and beyond.

The MP described him as “a chief for all, a father to all, and a symbol of unity.”

“We Have Lost a Great Son”

In a deeply emotional passage, Hon. Habib Iddrisu lamented the loss of the traditional ruler, saying his death represented a major loss to Dagbon, the Sagnarigu Traditional Area and the wider Ghanaian community.

“Mr. Speaker, we have lost a great son. We have lost a man whose legacy is written not in stones, but in the hearts of the people he served and the principles he stood for,” he said.

He described the late chief as a warrior who had laid down his “shields and spears,” but whose courage, commitment to justice and love for his people would remain an inspiration.

“Farewell, my chief. Farewell, my father. Farewell, my mentor. Farewell, my traditional ruler. Farewell, the last of the noble breed,” Habib Iddrisu said.

He prayed for the soul of the late traditional ruler to find eternal peace.

“He Called Me Just Hours Before His Death”

The Tolon MP also shared a particularly emotional account of his final interaction with the late chief.

According to Habib Iddrisu, at about 9:28 a.m. on the day of his death, the late Tolon Naa personally called him.

“I received a call from him telling me, ‘MP, I just called to greet you and see how you are doing. Keep up the work that you are doing,’” he recounted.

The MP said he was later informed at about noon that the chief had passed away.

“Only to be told at 12 noon that the chief was no more. Less than three hours after he placed the call to me, we have lost a king,” he said.

Habib Iddrisu concluded by describing the late Retired Major Sulemana as a son of Dagbon whose absence would be deeply felt by the people.

“We have lost a son of Dagbon, and Dagbon will miss Retired Major Sulemana forever,” he stated.