Members of the Fako Chiefs Conference have boycotted the funeral of Senator, Fon Fontem Njifua, the late president of the South West Chiefs’ Conference, SWECC. In extension, they also boycotted the coronation of the new Fon, Fontem Asaba.
The only chief from Fako spotted at the twin ceremony at the Azi Palace Grandstand in Fontem, May 9, was Chief Mafany Njie of Liongo village. He was in Fontem in his personal capacity as Treasurer of SWECC and not as a Fako chief. It will be recalled that before the transition of Fon Fontem Njifua, who until then was President of the South West Chiefs’ Conference (SWECC), there was rancour between SWECC and the Fako traditional rulers.
On the eve of the Fon’s funeral, acting SWECC President and chief of Bechati, Jerry Nkemtaji, had convened a delegation of Fako chiefs headed by Chief Samuel Epupa to find a solution to the rancour.
Epupa presented the grievances of Fako Chiefs, which grievances he said, caused them to withdraw their membership of SWECC. The grievances included, “abandonment of the SWECC secretariat project in Buea and lack of solidarity from SWECC during the University of Buea crisis last year.”
Epupa also said Fako chiefs were side-lined from greeting the Head of State during the reunification anniversary in Buea, that no account of the money offered by the presidential couple to South West chiefs has been made and the lack of transparency in the management of food money during the event, among others. On February 20 during the fiftieth anniversary celebrations of Cameroon’s reunification, Fako chiefs were denied the opportunity to shake hands with President Biya. They were allegedly referred to as porters and carriers during the celebrations.
In spite of the reconciliatory meeting, Fako chiefs are yet to forget the bitter pill they said was forced down their throat.
The self-proclaimed spokesman of the Fako chiefs, Johnson Njombe has insisted that Fako chiefs owe no explanation for their actions.
“Fako chiefs wanted to take their own share of whatever money we are supposed to divide at the upcoming SWECC elective general assembly. That is why they made it seem as if they had settled for peace,” a SWECC member smacked.
In a related story, Rene Emmanuel Sadi, Minister of territorial Administration & Decentralisation and personal representative of President Paul Biya at the Fon of Fontem’s funeral, decorated the late Fon with the coveted National Order of Valour. Describing the Fon, Sadi said, “I have had so many occasions to meet Fon Fontem Njifua, I can tell you that he is someone who is open and has a strong personality.”
He said Fontem Njifua “was a staunch member of our party and I knew him very well when I was the Secretary General of the Party and I think he is a patriot.”
Sadi went on, “He demonstrated many times that he is one of the people on which we could count on in situations that were demanding. That is why we came on the instructions of the Head of State to pay tribute to him. I was happy I came and I wish to express my sincere condolences to the people who have been touched.”
President Biya’s representative assured Fon Fontem Asaba of government’s full support in the discharge of his functions as an auxiliary to the administration.
