Steps to restore Bambuko first class chieftaincy underway

The process to restore the first class chieftaincy stool of Bambuko is currently underway.

This follows a consultative talk that held on Saturday, February 6, 2016, in Bambuko. The holding of the consultative talks was on the instructions of the Prime Minister Philemon Yang.

The consultative talks was to cause the assertion of Chief Kinghi Liwoto II from third class chief to first class chief, a position he claims rightly belongs to him.

The occasion which held at Government Secondary School Bokosso was presided over by the Second Assistant Senior Divisional Officer of Meme, Nelson Yongkuma, representing the SDO. It brought together chiefs of Meme Division, kingmakers of Bambuko Chiefdom and villagers of Bambuko.

Speaking at the event Chief Kinghi Liwoto II, for whom the consultative talks was being held, used the occasion to asked for the restitution of his right of assertion as first class chief of Bambuko chiefdom stool of Limbe through the competent authority so that, according to him, the mistake made by the Meme administration in 1995 be arrested once and for all.

Chief Kinghi Liwoto II told the SDO that “for twenty-two years today he has been consistent in this restitution struggle, adding that it is on record that Micheal Liwote was the successor of Namolombe the Bambuko ancestor, occupant of the ancestral abode; Isuma and chairman of Bambuko Native Authority of Victoria in the British colonial era and Customary Court President with jurisdiction over the Bambuko country of the Victoria Division”.

“It is for this reason that in 1956, he was amongst her majesty, the Queen of England’s invitees to her visit to Lagos, Nigeria still fresh in the memories of some alive,” Chief Kinghi Liwoto II said.

He added that before decree NO: 77/245 of 15 July 1977 came into force and even before colonisation, the Bambuko Traditional Community was organised into the three classes of leadership stools and succession to all was purely hereditary from father to son and the first class chief was “KINGHI”.

He added that the stool was held by the successor of the Bambuko ancestor, founder, chief Namolombe whose area of jurisdiction was the Bambuko country of the Victoria Division and recounted that he was the Bambuko Chief Priest and occupant of the ancestral abode, Isuma.

Ferguson B. Manga Williams Misled Authorities

Chief Kinghi Liwoto said in 1977, Ferguson B Manga Williams, son of the district head of former Victoria Division, a native of Bimbia of Douala extraction, misled the competent authority to gain the throne and became first class Chief of Bambuko chiefdom stool of Victoria now Limbe which, according to him, had up to 1977 been rightful throne of the chairman of Bambuko Native Authority of Victoria in the British colonial era and customary court President, Micheal Liwoto, who died in 1994.

Oppose Pre-consultation Talks Convened by Fako SDO

According to Chief Kinghi Liwoto II when Ferguson B. Manga Williams died in 2005 he had to oppose the pre-consultative talks convened by Fako SDO on 8 August 2007 meant to return the first class chief of Bambuko Chiefdom stool of Limbe contrary to the 1977 decree.

He said his action ushered in an era of a vacancy in the throne of First Class Chief of Bambuko Chiefdom stool of Limbe which has run for over 10 years now.

Letter To Prime Minister Buttressing Claims

Chief Kinghi Liwoto II continued that he wrote to the Prime Minister, through the Meme Administration, buttressing his claim to the throne with documentary evidence including maps supported by decree No. 77/245 of 15 July 1977 “proven beyond reasonable doubts that the competent authority was misled by Ferguson Billa Manga William since he was very intelligent”.

According to Chief Liwoto, it is based on this correspondence that Kingmakers of the Bambuko chiefdom stool of Limbe-Poh now, still at Efolo-fo requested the SDO for Meme Division to come and commence the necessary actions to be taken for the assertion of Chief Kinghi Liwoto II as first class Chief of Bambuko chiefdom stool of Limbe.

After listening to Chief Kinghi Liwoto, the 2nd ASDO for Meme, Nelson Yongkuma, said he had been instructed by the SDO to come and ascertain if there is an existing chiefdom like the Bambuko first class chiefdom so that it can be reclassified. The ASDO said after a thorough look at the documents presented by Chief Kinghi Liwoto II the reclassification of the Bambuko First class chiefdom can be visible.

He said reclassification will be based on findings from the consultative talks, adding that the administration will produce its report and send to the Prime Minister’s office for the process to continue. He added that the Meme administration will always be ready to receive the Bambuko people.

“But as Meme we cannot talk about Fako,” the ASDO said.