Bakundu Chiefs demand reinstatement of Motase as leader

Traditional rulers of Bakundu extraction in Meme Division, Southwest Region, have reportedly demanded the reinstatement of Hon. David Motase Ngoh as President of the defunct Bakundu Chiefs Conference, The Post has learnt.

This was the high point of deliberations during a reconciliation meeting grouping the traditional rulers and the President General of the Bakundu Cultural and Development Organisation, BACDU, in Kokaka Village recently.

It is reported that as part of efforts to restore harmony within the tribe, former Minister Benjamin Mutganga Itoe was reportedly pressurised by a handful of traditional rulers to have Motase retain the position of Chiefs Conference President, if there must be true reconciliation.

The Post equally learnt that the traditional rulers came to terms with an argument that split the tribe in 2015 as to whether BACDU is supreme to the Chiefs Conference or not.

Deliberations at the reconciliation meeting are said to have tilted towards placing the Chiefs above the development union.

Chiefs are said to be in support of claims that, as per their standing as custodians of tradition, they are not supposed to line up during public ceremonies to receive the former Minister.

They are said to have cautioned the CDC Board Chairman to know that, henceforth, in case of any public meeting grouping the Bakundus, he will be received by the elite.Following his reception, the BACDU leader will be presented to the Chiefs for traditional blessings.

This, the Chiefs are quoted to have said during the meeting, will be in the form of hitting their traditional broom of authority on the back of the former Minister, as he bows before them.

While the former Minister is said to be making concessions to most of the Chiefs' demands, observers say it could be the only way for him.Itoe, many say, needs to redeem himself, given that, as former Minister, the only respite he has now is his people, especially considering recent media out lash on him by Senator Nfon V.E Mukete.

With the Chiefs close to having a breakthrough, the former Member of Parliament and Chief of Mbakwa Supe, is said to have requested that the administration that concluded on the issue in 2015 be informed of recent developments.

Motase, alongside the Chiefs, is equally said to have requested for the putting in place of an accepted constitution of the Chiefs within two weeks.

Among other things seemingly heavy on the shoulders of the BACDU President, is the staging of the 2016 edition of the BACDU congress.

With the Mbonges having held theirs already, it will be a major blow to the former Minister if he fails to rally his people, especially when the talk in every small gathering now points to Biya's candidature in the forthcoming election.