New CPDM party cards breed confusion

An atmosphere of confusion and political gimmicks seems to be raging across the Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement, CPDM party, in Meme Division and, particularly, within the three sections of Meme IA, IB and IC in Kumba, ever since the party’s scribe, Jean Kuete, announced the sale of new party cards.

The sale of the new party cards, which many CPDM militants believe is an in-house cleaning mechanism leading to fresh internal party elections, has triggered varied political moves. Most of the top party executives have remained suspicious of one another, while others have resorted to petition writing.

The Post learnt that the party could be moving towards stormy tides considering that, most of the Presidents of the Youth Wing, viz: John Kingue, Gabriel Ayemelong and Zacheus Ebongo Nanje of Meme IA, IB and IC sections of the party have apparently crossed the new age limit of 35 years reportedly adopted during the 2011 congress of the party for anyone vying for the position of youth President.

There are fears that some of the youth Presidents could be camping for a show of popularity with their section Presidents, once internal party elections are announced.

The situation, The Post learnt, has reportedly kept Section Presidents like Prince Ekale Mukete, Jacob Kay Mbatchu and Isaac Mukwelle Nguba, more vigilant in an attempt to frustrate any surprise from their youth Presidents.

For now, the disturbing issue has been arguments over the procedure to be followed in the sale of party cards. While Sub-section Presidents are claiming that the Section Presidents should allow them sell the cards to militants, the Section Presidents, on their part, are said to have turned down the suggestion.

Thus, the party cards have remained in the custody of Section Presidents who are now engineering the directives for sale.

In the meantime, there is already confusion as some militants argue that people who have strong political ambitions may want to auction the cards to people of their choices so that, on the day of elections, the people will easily vote their prearranged candidates.

Though none of the youth Presidents has made any public declaration to gun for the office of Section President, there are already reports of police investigations.

At the level of Meme IA, youth President, John Kingue is alleged to have petitioned his section President, Prince Ekale Mukete, over the manner in which party cards are being sold. The Post learnt that police are reportedly investigating the matter.

In Fiango, Gabriel Ayamelong is the man; many believe could spring a surprise for Jacob Kay, given the successive defeats the party has faced in elections in the hands of the Social Democratic Front, SDF party. Thus many are hoping for a change of command.

In Mambanda, Meme IC where Kumba Hospital Director, Dr. Zachs Ebongo plies his trade, is another fief that many a political observer is predicting a change. Yet Ebongo remains a potential challenger to Section President, Isaac Mukwelle.

In the face of all these unseen machinations, a CPDM baron disclosed to The Post on that, some ‘senior militants’ are already suggesting that internal party elections be carried out through investiture like it happened in the last elections to avoid surprises from ambitious militants.