2020 Municipal, Legislative Polls:

MINAT Sends Grim Signal to Defiant Politicians, Hate Speech Promoters
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Yaounde

Minister Atanga Nji last week chaired the 2nd Governors’ confab

Paul Atanga Nji, Minister of Territorial Administration has warned politicians who incessantly violate State laws and administrative authorities, organisers of violent political rallies and promoters of hate speech to steer clear such practices before, during and after the forthcoming twin polls in the country of face bitter times with the government.
    The MINAT dished out the warnings at the opening ceremony of the Second Bi-annual Conference of regional Governors convened under the esteemed instructions of the Head of State, Paul Biya Monday 25 November, 2019 at the Yaoundé city council. The conference focused on scrupulously examining the security situation of the country after the convening of the electorate, jointly reflect on well-adapted solutions to the current problems plaguing the nation and take measures to have hitch free celebration of end-of-year festivities full of effervescence across the national triangle.

    “Politicians specialised in hate speech, manipulation, provocation and the defiance of state authority should know that they will face the heavy arm of the law in case of any misconduct” Atanga Nji warned adding that electoral campaigns are moments for all politicians to sell their ideologies and manifestos to the population” while remaining within the ambit of the law.
    He enjoined administrative authorities to before authorising political rallies ascertain that venues of such political meetings are conducive and does not constitute risk of public disorder else it should be banned if the venues cannot be changed and organisers assure of taking charge of peace in the meetings.
    “…Our laws give room for political rallies and other public manifestations. These meetings are guided by the same laws and administrative authorities who give their authorisation must ascertain that all is well for the holding of such meetings” he revealed.
    “I want to make it very clear: promoters of political parties will henceforth be held accountable in case of any disruption of public order related to political rallies. I urge political leaders to show proof of responsibility before, during and after upcoming elections” Atanga Nji warned promising that the horrible scenes the country lived after the 2018 October Presidential election where a candidate proclaimed himself winner, flouting the laws of the land, shall be considered as a sad event of the past that will never be allow to repeat itself.
    “Believe me defaulters will face bitter times” Atanga Nji warned while urging all the Governors to ensure that ELECAM gets all the necessary support and security assistance needed within the electoral process because to him, the elections will hold under peculiar security context and as such security elements have to be more than ever before show proof of vigilance and anticipation.