Mbella Moki
Speculations on whether or not Mbella Moki Charles, will be gunning for another mandate during the forthcoming elections to reorganize the basic organs of the party were last Friday put to rest.
The former mayor of the Buea and newly re-elected South West FECAFOOT president said Friday at the party secretariat in Buea that he will not be part of the race. He quickly called on other elected party officials in the section to do same.
Though no specific reasons were advanced as to why he took the decision, Mbella who has been at the helm of the section since 2007, however, told his party comrades that he was stepping down to give room for others to lead and have the experience.
Still at the Buea meeting which brought together over 30 sub-sections presidents, Mbella expressed fears that with the current political battle going on, the party in Fako III could be split into factions. He said those gunning for positions within the section should shun unhealthy practices such as witch-hunting, mud-slinging, influence peddling and back-stabbing, should the party remain united.
The meeting which later became in-camera, we gathered from sources, was organized purposely to set out guidelines ahead of the elections. Issues concerning who is gunning for what position within the section were equally brought up at the meeting which dragged into the night.
Mbella Moki’s declaration immediately sparked contentious debate amongst militants of the ruling party in Fako III. Why some say statements from politicians should be taken with a pinch of salt, others; most of whom are his supporters, maintained that his decision smacks of his political maturity and respect for fairness in politics.
Observers say his decision could have been triggered by his recent victory which saw him re-elected as South West regional FECAFOOT league president. Mbella, we learnt from reliable sources close to the politician, is nursing plans of becoming one of FECAFOOOT’s Vice Presidents which has a more daunting task.
On a different account, The Cameroon Journal also gathered that a consensus had been arrived at, which stipulates that elected officials in Fako should not go in for top positions in the various sections. Though we are yet to confirm the cogency of this new twist, we learnt from press sources in Limbe that most mayors have pledged to stand by the ‘gentleman agreement’ initiated by Fako CPDM kingmakers.
“Politicians are to be doubted. This could be a strategy to distract his challengers in the race. Is there anything that is binding in that blanket statement made by Mbella Moki? Until the Election Day comes, I cannot believe that the Mbella that I know as someone who has vaulting ambitions will not run for section elections,” a militant who preferred not to be named for fear of victimization said.
Meanwhile, should Mbella Moki stand by the public commitment he took, the tussle to take over the CPDM Fako III section presidency could be between the mayor of Buea, Patrick Ekema Esunge and a Douala-based banker, Namange Mafany. The former boss of the Buea branch of Credit Fonciere had declared his intensions a fortnight ago in Buea.
Though Mayor Ekema is yet to make a public statement on his intension, close aides say his decision to take part in the election which promises to produce fireworks had long been concluded. Many sub-sections have already written motions of support to back Ekema’s candidacy.
For the position of YCPDM Section President, current president, Emmanuel Motombi who from every indication will not be in the race any more could be succeeded either by Frankline Njie or Embola Isaac Mbua; a Musonge protégé. Information that the list of Frankline Njie who is a businessman and former councilor of Buea had been rejected could not be immediately confirmed as we went to press. For Embola Isaac Mbua, we gathered that he has the backings of most CPDM Fako III kingmakers like Peter Mafany Musonge, former PM.
Challengers to current Fako III WCPDM president, Hannah Etonde Mbua are yet to emerge. Mbua who is principal of GHS Bokwaongo could still be part of the race as nothing has been heard of her exact stance.
