Visit to the NW:

Was Yang tasting the waters ahead of CPDM Anniversary

By Njodzefe Nestor

PM Yang

From 6 to 10 March 2017, the Prime Minster, Head of Government Philemon Yang led a delegation to the seven divisions of the North West region begging parents to allow their children to go back to school.

                During the tour that started at Bamenda Congress Hall on March 6 and ended on Friday March 10 at the Kumbo Council Hall, the Prime Minster held meetings with education stakeholders comprising of parents, Parent Teacher Associations, Heads of Schools and teachers and elites.

                No sooner did the Prime Minster start his tour did conspiracy theorists start giving another reading to it. Some of these theorists have been quick to say the tour had political ramifications.

                To them the PM, who is also leader of the North West Permanent Regional Delegation of the CPDM Central Committee came to taste the waters ahead of the 32nd Anniversary Celebrations of the party on March 24, 2017.

                Since December 8, 2016 when some rioting youths frustrated an anti federalism march organized by the CPDM in Bamenda, the party has not organized any big event in the region.

                Militants who had braved the odds to the event ground at Commercial Avenue were stripped off and their uniforms burnt while cars of other members were destroyed. In an attempt to bring the situation under control about 8 people were killed.

                According to some political analysts, the popularity of the party and the militants that can openly identify with it has since then dwindled.

                The tour of the Prime Minster to many therefore was to taste how receptive the population will be of him and his delegation so that they can know what awaits them come March 24 during the anniversary of the party.

                This speculation was given some credibility given that he was accompanied is some divisions by the Minister Delegate at the presidency in charge of special duties, AtangaNji Paul who has been accused by many for fanning the crisis that has rocked the North West region.

                His role during the December 8 anti-federalism march and his insistence that there was no Anglophone problem in his numerous media outings infuriated many a north westerner and some of them had reportedly promised to destabilize every event organized by him. His presence it is believed was a litmus test.

                The presence of some elites mostly from the CPDM during the meetings in the divisions also spoke volumes.

                As if that was not enough, immediately after the tour, PM Yang who is also North West Permanent Regional Delegate of the CPDM Central Committee convened a meeting at Ayaba Hotel on March 19 involving CPDM Central Committee Members, MPs, Mayors, Senators, section Presidents amongst others.

                However, as the preparations are reportedly gaining steam, some unsigned messages are making rounds in the region calling on the population to observe ghost towns during the celebrations.