Rented CPDM militants exchange blows over banknotes

Persons hired to pose as militants of the Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement, CPDM, party at a political meeting in Kumba on February 6, ended up exchanging blows over the money paid.

The militants hired from Mbonge and Konye Subdivisions to boast attendance at the controversial meeting resorted to arguments after they had marched in support of President Biya's candidature for 2018 presidential election.

A few meters from the grandstand, the group of hired militants started fighting over the procedure in sharing FCFA 5,000 banknotes. Some of them ended up missing a bus that was made available by the organisers to transport them back home.

The quarreling and fighting was only brought under control by other militants who waded in pleading with the villagers to stop embarrassing the organisers.

One of the embittered militants said they were derided into believing that the occasion was going to be for the installation of new Section Presidents. He averred that the money given to them could not compensate the time wasted. He further said that, while the occasion started at 4.00pm, due to unconvincing attendance, the organisers had promised to close the occasion at 3.00pm.

Another militant said, abandoning his farm work for a whole day just to be given a paltry sum of FCFA 1,500 around 6.00pm, was inhuman treatment. He cursed politicians for always seeking to exploit the population for selfish interest.

New Fissures Emerge After Conference

Barely few days after the Kumba conference, fresh cracks have developed within some CPDM Sections in Meme. Some of the newly elected party executives who boycotted the meeting are reportedly asking their leaders for explanations.

The case of CPDM Meme IB is said to have been brought under control by another CPDM elite. A handful of the militants are said to be asking why they were represented at such a meeting, whereas the section was the first to send a motion of support calling on Biya to seek re-election.

Section President, Jacob Matchou Kay, attended the joint section conference with over nine of his militants.

In CPDM Meme III (Konye), misinformation over whether it was an installation or motion of support ceremony is already splitting hairs. Militants are already furious suspecting the organisers of playing a fast one on them.

Unconfirmed reports talk of the controversial Kumba meeting having been organised with the dual aim of giving Lawson Tabot a platform to reign in Meme IA.

Questions remain unanswered as to who triggered the Division into hastily organising a meeting that has plunged Meme Division into a more confused state than it was, politically.