Batoke chieftaincy: Little oversight, big problem

Not long ago, a number of chiefdoms were visited in some parts of Fako Division by Divisional officers. Their mission was to have a first-hand knowledge of successions to thrones in these various communities.

The truth is that, in most parts of Fako, there is a systematic flow in the succession process. This means that before the death or departure of the incumbent, the successor is already known. But this must be affirmed by the family and later the king makers.

This having been done, the administration simply steps in to ask the king makers to present the chosen one for the administration to simply recognise as such.

According to a presidential decree no. 77/245 of 15 July 1977, all 3rd class chiefs fall under the competence of the Divisional officer who carries out the consultative talks, and this means assembling the population of the chiefdom to listen to the king makers and close members of the ruling house in order to hear their opinions.

Where there is an opposition, the Divisional officer has the right to postpone the talks and carry out further investigations. If no opposition, the chosen one is accepted by the administration as the succeeding chief and he, and only he alone remains recognised by the administration.

Third class chiefs however remain the lowest class of chiefs. Above them are second and first class chiefs. The case of second class chiefs falls within the competence of the Senior Divisional Officer, while the highest class falls within the competence of the Regional Governor. The procedure however remains the same.

Batoke, a community along the West coast of Cameroon is undergoing a quiet problem which started from an oversight by one time Senior Divisional Officer for Fako, Mr. Ngambi Dikoume.

A letter from MINAT dated August 19, 2014 signed by the Secretary General, Essomba Pierre, copied to the South West Governor, bearing also a previous letter signed by the then Minister of MINAT, Marafa Hamidou Yaya, dated April 20, 2004, requesting the Governor to repeal a prefectoral order No. 185/2003 of 5 June, which designated a certain Mr. Molive Otto Molungu as 3rd class chief of Batoke on the grounds that the consultative talks which led to the designation were carried out by the Senior Divisional Officer for Fako instead of the Divisional officer.

This is where a little oversight on the part of the administration can lead to big problem.

And why the one who now wants to be chief had to wait for eight good years to bring up the issue is another matter altogether. I have always had my reservations about this scramble for chieftaincies. Unfortunately, I come from the ruling house of my community. The truth is that I have never envied our coastal chiefs because sometimes they do not only ridicule themselves but well thinking members of the community as well.

In the presence circumstance, it is obvious that the governor is not likely to turn the tables, since the last eight years of Batoke under Chief Otto, have been relatively calm and the people live in harmony. Therefore, no one will choose to replace peace with trouble.