Warning: SPOILERS ahead for The Walking Dead: Dead City episode 6!The Walking Dead: Dead City star Lisa Emery has explained how the Dama has control over Negan by the end of season 1. The final episode of The Walking Dead: Dead City season 1 saw the Croat take a captive Negan to see the Dama, the true ruler of Manhattan. The Dama recruits Negan to help her take over the rest of New York City, showing him the severed toe of Maggie's son Hershel, threatening the boy's life if Negan doesn't comply.
https://screenrant.com/walking-dead-dead-city-negan-dama-control-explained/