- Hon. Emilia Lifaka bullied to submission, reduced to size in Buea
- Militants storm DO’s office to protest ‘consensus’ lists
By Ojong Steven Ayuk in Buea
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| Protesting CPDM militants gathered in groups in front of the DO’s office in Buea |
Protesting militants in Buea shouted a resounding ‘no’ when the head of a delegation from Yaounde – Hon. Emilia Monjowa Lifaka, announced that the reorganization in Fako will proceed by way of consensus and not through election, as President Paul Biya’s circular of 27 July 2015 demands.
Hon. Lifaka was accompanied to the Buea meeting by incumbent section president Senator Charles Mbella Moki, former DAG of the PM’s Office Mr. Thomas Eyambe, GCE Board Registrar Humphrey Monono, SW MINESEC Delegate Ngundu Francis, Simon Gobina and Chief Ekum of Dikolo village. There were also sub section presidents and a huge crowd of curious militants. Pressmen were asked to leave the venue.
Hon Lifaka told militants that her delegation was not acting on their own volition, but on the instructions of the leader of Fako CPDM, Senator Peter Mafany Musonge, who wanted a peaceful reorganization in Fako and a situation whereby many more militants also benefit from the party, instead of a few militants cumulating positions.
Lifaka explained that at a meeting in Yaounde recently it was decided that the reorganization exercise in Fako would proceed by way of consensus lists and that elected officials (Mayors, MPs and Senators) should not run for office in the party.
The national assembly VP said these suggestions were made as a means towards dousing the anger and hatred that have kept CPDM militants in Fako apart. She said the decisions were only an in-house arrangement in Fako CPDM; they had nothing to do with the president’s circular.
However, Hon. Lifaka’s submission did not get the desired response from militants; if anything it only left curious militants disappointed.
Protesting militants could be heard cursing hon. Lifaka, saying they cannot be sweet-talked into accepting what is not correct. Informed militants said the ‘Yaounde decision’ was contrary to the spirit and the letter of the circular signed by President Biya on 27 July 2015.
Many militants were quick to conclude that there was a hidden agenda behind the consensus suggestion. Some militants extrapolated that it was a move by Senator Musonge and his cronies to place malleable stooges at the helm of the grassroots organs of the party so that they can stay in Yaounde and control the party in Buea.
“Musonge and Lifaka are only looking for a situation whereby they can stay in Yaounde and control the party at the base,” speculated an irate militant, who maintained that the consensus effort will never work.
Some other militants remarked that though the consensus proposal has been designed to concern all CPDM sections in Fako, the real objective behind it is to weaken “powerful Mayors” notably the Mayor of Buea, Patrick Ekema and his counterpart of Muyuka, Nkeng Micheal alias Chariot.
It is believed that Fako CPDM barons in Yaounde, notably Senator Musonge, Churchill Monono, Hon. Emilia Lifaka and Senator Mbella Moki are not comfortable with the arrogance, assertiveness and financial fire-power of these two mayors and that is why they want to seize the opportunity offered by the reorganization to prevent these mayors from also taking over and controlling the party at the base.
Fako CPDM barons fear that these mayors could become even more difficult to deal with if they ever gained control of the party, it is believed.
Other militants held that with Ekema Patrick as Mayor of Buea, Senator Mbella Moki is not too sure of ever going back to the senate in 2018 this because Mbella fears Ekema will turn the councilors against his candidature for reelection.
That is why many believe that Mbella who is incumbent section president, also prefers a trusted and malleable ally taking over from him this, so that he can with this ally, constitute a council list that favours him in 2018.
It is for these and other reasons, it is believed, that Mola Musonge and his hatchet men are fronting Mafany Namange to replace Mbella Moki as section president.
A former YCPDM president, Mafany Namange is said to be one of the many Fako sons who benefitted from Musonge’s ascension to the PM’s office.
So, when the meeting opened at the CPDM party secretariat in Buea, it was the incumbent section president, Senator Mbella Moki who first took the floor. Hon. Lifaka only spoke later.
Senator Mbella said the meeting was holding at a crucial moment in the life of the party; at a time when the basic structures of the party will soon be reorganized.
He intimated that at “an enlarged meeting” of Fako elite in Yaounde recently, “far reaching decisions” were taken the most important being that elected officials of the party – MPs, Mayors and Senators should not run for positions during the reorganization exercise.
Because of this, Mbella said he was stepping down from the post of section president; he would not run for reelection.
Another speaker, Ngundu Francis, for his part, pointed out that consensus was only a suggestion and not a sine qua non for prospective candidates.
“We came here to reconcile the militants. We are not forcing aspirants to accept consensus. However, we think that consensus is the better option for Fako; it will make the party stronger and more competitive to face its adversaries,” Ngundu said.
Another speaker, Stephen Luma wanted to know what happened to the party cards that were sent from the Central Committee. In response, Hon. Lifaka said the cards have been distributed and that all cards are valid provided they are duly signed by the competent party officials.
Difficult consensus
The meeting at the party secretariat paved the way for a more crucial closed-door meeting at the DO’s office in Buea.
The Median learnt on good authority that the delegation from Yaounde succeeded in convincing the aspirants for YCPDM president to form a consensus list. The list is headed by a certain Mbua Monika, who is said to enjoy Hon. Lifaka’s blessing.
As for the women’s wing, it emerged that out-going WCPDM Section President, Hannah Etonde Mbua, stood her grounds that she was not ready for any consensus.
However, when the committee members pressed on her to respect the decisions of the Yaounde meeting, Etonde Mbua reportedly gave in. But she did so on the condition that she will head any consensus list that will be formed from her list and that of Mrs. Molinge (Wife of Chief Molinge of Muea).
Mrs Molinge is said to enjoy the blessing of Senator Mbella Moki, who worked hard to convince Etonde Mbua to accept a consensus with the queen of Muea..
But the real business of the day had to do with forging a consensus between the contenders for section present.
It emerged that while Ekema Patrick said he will give in for consensus provided that Mafany Namanga joins his list, Mafany held his ground that he cannot work under Ekema.
Mayor Patrick Ekema was seen at some point walking up to Mafany Namange to talk him to join his list. The two rivals later drove-off in the former’s car and in the company of two other persons: Kinge Thompson and Barrister John Kameni.
But when they reemerged some two hours later it was evident that they had agreed to disagree on the issue of consensus.
We learnt that when Hon. Lifaka tried later to talk Mayor Ekema respect the ‘Yaounde suggestion’ and step down, the Mayor retorted with a firm no.
Ekema was reported as reminding Lifaka and the other persons in her committee that they all met him in the CPDM. The Mayor reminded Hon. Lifaka that in the days when he was carrying benches for the CPDM way back in 1988, he never saw Lifaka in any CPDM meeting at the time.
Ekema pointed out that when he and some others were risking their lives defending the CPDM during the tumultuous years of a burgeoning opposition, Lifaka and others were not there.
Ekema’s running mate, Barrister John Kameni was also reported as telling the committee members that if their mission to Fako was to talk CPDM reorganization then the only working document they can refer to should be President Paul Biya’s circular.
Barrister Kameni reportedly shouted hon. Lifaka to submission, reminding her that only the presidential circular is valid in matters of reorganization in the CPDM.
Many militants that had gathered in front of the DO’s Office waiting for the outcome of the consensus, could be heard talking in support of Ekema. Many said Ekema has the best arguments to lead the party in Buea. They said apart from his financial capability, he is not a tribalist. They said Ekema is generous and hobnobs with both the down-trodden as well as mighty.
But because consensus could not be reached in Buea, it emerged that three lists will compete for the CPDM Section in Fako 111 Buea. The lists are headed by sMayor Patrick Ekema, Mafany Namange and Mola Luma respectively.
Yet, some commentators at the DO’s Office predicted that by the time the reorganization exercise begins in the weeks ahead the number of candidates for section president would have increased considerably.
It is also speculated that some of those who had earlier accepted consensus will later change their minds.
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