In Cameroon football, it is not over until it is over.
The results of the South West FECAFOOT elections that saw Senator Mbella Moki reportedly triumphed over Nkongho Felix Agbor has taken a different twist with the Nkongho Felix Campaign contesting not only the outcome but also the build up to the elections.
Our intelligence officer in Buea, the chief town in the South West Region has successfully gotten a copy of the protest letter addressed to the committee charged with the re-organization and stabilization of the Cameroon Football Federation.
Below is the full text in which Prof. Joseph Owona read in copy.
The President of the Appeal Board/ Commitee Technique de Suivi des Elections, 8/10/2014
Dear Sir: Re: APPEAL AGAINST THE RESULT OF THE SOUTH WEST REGIONAL FECAFOOT ELECTION HELD ON 7TH NOVEMBER 2014 PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 27 (1) OF THE ELECTORAL CODE.
We write in connection with the election results of the South West Regional Fecafoot Elections that took place on 7th November. As you are well aware, the elections in the South West Region was closely contested with the list headed by Senator Mbella Moki winning by 7 against 6 votes the list headed by Nkongho Felix Agbor. The election process and the election itself were marred by certain irregularities, which affected the outcome of the results.
Sir, The creation of Normalization was to ensure that FECAFOOT is managed in a more transparent manner and that elections should be free, fair and transparent. And by free, fair and transparent, we mean not only the voting but also the entire process leading to the voting. Electioneering is an entire process that begins with the vetting, validation of candidature and culminates in the voting and proclamation of results. Hence, events that occurred before the date of the election can affect the outcome of the elections as equally as events or incidents, which took place during the election. It is with this opinion in mind that we are lodging this appeal. The appeal will focus on the events on the 7th of November and also the events, which took place prior to the 7th.
A. The Case of MOUNT CAMEROON
Sir,
The President General of Mount Cameroon FC; Mr. Diderot Denise Kamgue who was voted by the General Assembly of Mount Cameroon on 20th February 2014, mandated Mr. Limfenyuy Kongso Chrysanthus the Vice President of Mount Cameroon to represent the club and vote at the elections.
However, Mr. Kongso was refused entry into the voting venue by the head of the normalization committee/Electoral commissioner in the south West Region. Rather they allowed Mr. Mutia Batambuh Jonathan to vote on behalf of the club. Sir, the Representative of the Normalization Committee/Electoral Commissioner in making his decision call Hon. Foinding on the phone to ask about the situation of Mount Cameroon. We find this bizarre because he called only Hon. Foinding without making any effort to call Mr. Diderot who is the president. Sir, the General Assembly Resolution which voted Mr. Diderot President of Mount Cameroon was submitted to the Regional Bureau of FECAFOOT on 28/04/2014 as evident from the receipt acknowledgement of 28/04/2014.
It should be worth recalling that Hon. Calvin Foinding who is founder of Mount Cameroon FC was present during that General Assembly that voted Mr. Diderot president. In addition, it should be noted that Hon. Foinding was still serving his 5 years suspension from all FECAFOOT activities. We were made to understand by the representative of the Normalization committee that Hon. Foinding called another General Assembly shortly before the elections.
Upon request of the resolution of the General Assembly, the Representative told us that it was an administrative document and we could neither see nor have a copy. Even if Hon. Foinding suspension as President of Mount Cameroon had expired and his suspension equally from all FECAFOOT activities have consequently expired, it is our submission that he did not have the mandate to call such a general assembly because he was not the president of mount Cameroon and thus could not mandate Mr. Batambuh to represent Mount Cameroun. Hence, Mr. Kongso was the authorized representative to vote on behalf of Mount Cameroon during the election.
Please see attached the GA resolution of Mount Cameroon of 20/02/2014, which was deposited, to FECAFOOT SW on 28/04/2014 and also the Authorisation by the President of Mount Cameroon mandating the Vice president Mr. Kongso to represent Mount Cameroon at the elections. In addition, Mr. Mutia Batambuh Jonathan who voted on behalf of mount Cameroon is a licence player and currently playing with Mount Cameroon and at the same time an official of Mount Cameroon. By regulations of Fecafoot, a licence player cannot be a club official. Hence he was ineligible to be representing Mount Cameroon as delegate.
B. ELECTION OF DELEGATES
Sir,
Pursuant to Article No 003 of DIRECTIVES No 003/FCF/PCN/2014: PORTANT SUR L’EXECUTION DES DISPOSITIONS RELATIVES AUX ELECTIONS AU SEIN DES LIGUES REGIONALES signed by the President of the Normalisation Committee.
Article 5, Paragragh 1 of the said Directives titled: Election des delegues de la ligue regionale a l’Assemble General de la Fecafoot: It states « Il resulte de l’article 23 alinea 2 et 6 des Statuts de la FECAFOOT que les ligues regionales deleguent chacune cinq (5) reperesentant a l’Assemblee Generale de la FECAFOOT a laquelle elles sont affiliees et que ces representants doivent etre elus par les Assemblees Generales des ligues regionales ».
It goes further to state in paragraph 2 that « Ces representants devront etre elus dans le cadre du processus electoral en cours et figurerer dans les process-verbal des Assembless General electives des ligues regionales » Sir, there was no election of these 5 delegates as prescribed by the text. Rather, the representative of the normalization Committee/ chairman of the Election Committee requested Mbella Moki; the leader of the list that purportedly won to prepare a list of the 5 delegates and submit to him.
This is contrary to the provision and spirit of Paragraph 2, which expressly makes provision for the election of those 5 representatives within the electoral process that took place on the 7th. By this act, the 13 delegates present were deprived of the opportunity to contest for the election of the 5 Delegates to represent the South West at the FECAFOOT General Assembly. In view of this, my fundamental right to vote and be voted for amongst those 5 delegates to represent the region at the General Assembly, if the contested results are validated was blatantly denied.
It was clear show of favouritism on the part of the representative of the normalization committee. Hence, Justice was not done neither was it seen to be done. It is common knowledge that Justice should not only be done but must be seen to be done.
C. BOTAFOGO.
Sir, the decision to include BOTAFOGO in the Electoral College was based on misleading information submitted to the Normalization Committee. The decision which was based amongst others on the ground that Botafogo took part in the league before it was suspended “Qu’il a pris part a ce Championnat qui ete, a un moment donne, suspend” cannot be supported by facts on the ground.
BOTAFOGO did not play any of its matches before the league was suspended. During the 1st playing Day BOTAFOGO was on standby. BOTAFOGO was absent during the 2nd playing Day against UB FC and did not play against Mount Cameroon. Please kindly see the attached Fixtures of the League before it was suspended.
Sir, the fact that they were affiliated and issued Licences for the 2013/2014 is not sufficient proof that they are effectively taking part in the competition. To allow a team which is not taking part in the championship to be part of the Electoral College and to determine the result of elections in the region is not fair to that region. Please find attached my petition of 29/10/2014 against the Inclusion of BOTAFOGO as part of the Electoral College received on 30/20/2014 S/No 7556
D. NQSA
NQSA participated in the South West Regional Championship of 2012/2013. NSQA is equally participating in the South West Regional Championship 2013/2014. NQSA is amongst the 20 participating teams of the South West Regional Championship as shown on the fixtures published by the South West Regional Bureau of Fecafoot and signed by the Secretary General on the 7th of October 2014.
Hence the decision to exclude NQSA amongst the clubs eligible to be part of the Electoral College does not conform with the provision of the Statute. Please kindly see Petition Against the Disqualification of NQSA from the electoral College received at FECAFOOT on 31/10/2014 S/No: 7570 which was never submitted to the Commission. Proof of the fact that there is an in house scheme to eliminate teams eligible to take part in the election if not administrative negligence.
Sir, In consideration of the above,
We urge you to:
1. Issue a Decision Cancelling the FECAFOOT Elections of the South West Region;
2. Reschedule another Election;
3. If the contested results are validated, reschedule the Election of the 5 Delegates to represent South West at the Fecafoot General Assembly;
4. Issue a Decision Disqualifying BOTAFOGO from participating in the Election; AND
5. Include NSQA as part of the Electoral College.
NB: I wish to be given the opportunity to defend my case before this Honourable Committee
Whilst waiting for a favourable reply, accept our warm regards.
Yours Sincerely,
Nkongho Felix Agbor Anyior
Candidate South West regional President of Fecafoot
Cc: Prof Joseph Owona
