Fako land saga splits Fako chiefs’ conference

Some rush in defense of land grabbing Governor, SDO and Mayor amidst a raging storm over what is being described as “The Fako Land Saga,” Some chiefs in the division ignored previous agreement and decided to elect a new leadership to manage affairs of the Fako Chiefs’ Conference, FCC, in spite of the boycott by Chief Daniel Epupa, current President. The election took place Thursday, August 14, during a hastily summoned ordinary conference of the FCC at the Muyuka Council Chambers.

Chief Mokoto Njie Johannes, former one-term mayor of Muyuka was at the meeting elected President of the FCC for the next two years. The office of President and Vice President rotates from one subdivision to the other every two years.

The elections were conducted by Chief Johnson Njoke Njombe, outgoing Secretary General of the Conference and Social Secretary of the South West Chiefs’ Conference.

Apparently referring to the sagging war of land in the division that is tearing the Fako Chiefs apart, though he didn’t directly mention it, Chief Shadrack Esambe, President of the Muyuka Chiefs’ Conference who convened the meeting urged Fako chiefs to put aside their differences and work for the interest of the Fako people.

He said the resolve of the chiefs should be to build a new positive image for the chieftaincy institution in the Division and to build a society based on the virtues of trust, mutual respect, honesty and togetherness.

In their characteristic fashion, the chiefs extended congratulations to President Paul Biya for upgrading the status of traditional rulers and for the war they said he has waged against Boko Haram, the terrorist group.

Initially previewed to generate fireworks, the elections went on hitched free and in a friendly atmosphere.

However, the outgoing President of the conference, Chief Samuel Epupa Ekum boycotted the gathering, describing it as ‘illegal and unconstitutional.”

In a kind of challenge to Epupa’s stance, Chief Njombe, was, however, quick to clarify that the circumstances leading to the elections are similar to those of 2011when Epupa was elected president.

Ignorantly lending credibility to the allegations that the Muyuka meeting was clandestinely pushed by top South West administrators implicated in the Fako land saga, Thomas Tambe Tabot, Divisional Officer for Muyuka Subdivision told the chiefs how he refused to bow to pressure mounted on him from some quarters to withdraw the authorization to hold the meeting.

The elections were witnessed among others by the Mayor of Buea, Patrick Ekema, one of those interrogated in the land deal and the 1st deputy mayor of Muyuka Council, Albert Njoh.

The chiefs, speaking at the end of the meeting and apparently directing their agitation to Epupa and others who are against the idea of land grab, stated; “We will not accept any breach of our most cherished peace by any individual(s) or group(s) within Fako Division, we shall not permit or tolerate any group of persons who preach disunity, xenophobia and exclusion among Cameroonians.”

“All those residing or working in Fako, especially those who have chosen Fako as their natural or second home must not be disturbed by enemies of progress. They should consider themselves as stakeholders with legitimate rights to own properties in Fako.” The chiefs declared in respect to the land saga.

Chiefs rally behind Governor, SDO, others As the Fako land “war” degenerates, some of the chiefs at the Muyuka meeting quickly rallied behind South West Governor, Okalia Bilai Bernard, whom the Journal reported last week as being a major beneficiary of the land under investigation

Alluding to our report and others in local newspapers that pointed acussing fingers at the Governor, Fako SDO and Buea Mayor, the chiefs alleged that “newspapers have been bought over to drag the names of eminent personalities – Governor Okalia Bilai; Fako SDO, Zang III and the mayor of Buea, Ekema Patrick Esunge – into mud.” They said their support for these officials remain unflinching.

“As peace loving people of Fako Division and in consideration of the prevailing stories, reports, agitations and conflicting accusations on certain authorities and chiefs within Fako, it is incumbent upon those who are being either by omission or by commission accused to throw some light on these salient issues, especially those that have a direct bearing on lands. The recent Fako Land Saga, if not promptly and carefully addressed may end up stigmatizing innocent people who are today being brandished as enemies of the Fako people.”

“NO” to the “slanderous and sinister campaigns against state authorities, chiefs, all stakeholders and development partners in Fako Division.” They declared.

“We are of the convinced opinion that xenophobia is not part of the people of Fako Division. And we do not consider that for any citizen of this indivisible nation to own land anywhere should be viewed as a crime or an abomination…an all-inclusive policy of national integration should be promoted and protected,” the chiefs said.