CPDM Investiture in Difficulties Over Parliamentary Files in Bamenda

 By Fai Cassian

CPDM NW Regional Investiture headed by Dion Ngote is in difficulties to decide over Parliamentary lists in some Divisions. Confidential sources have hinted that the battle to parliament is very stiff in Ngoketunjia North, Momo West, Menchum South, Jakiri Special Constituency, and Oku/Noni and in Nwa Special Constituency.  Sources say Dion Ngote and his team from the Central Committee left Bamenda very confused as they could reach a consensus on the numerous candidatures. At the Bamenda Congress Hall, it is alleged that tempers almost flared. The several nocturnal meetings organized here and there to broker peace between aspirants has not paid off.

From what we gathered, five Lists have been submitted from Ngoketunjia North as Hon. Njigum Musa, Dr. Vabi and 03 others submitted separate lists.  Banmi Emmanuel stood unchallenged in Ngoketunjia South (Balikumbat). Hon. Banmi is likely to face Dr. Leicigah Pius while the candidate from Ngoketunjia North will face Hon. Yoyo Emmanule.  Nji Fidelis is lone candidate for Fungom/ Fura Awa (Menchum North) while three lists have been submitted by parliamentary aspirants of Menchum South. In this case the investiture will decide between Wallang Richard incumbent, Cho Cyprian and one other. Nji Fidelis will confront “Wum Boy” in the polls while the selected candidate from Menchum South will have to grapple with Enwi Elizabeth SDF Female aspirant.

In Mezam, Tawa Crisy submitted the lone file as parliamentary aspirant for Bamenda/Bali Constituency. The SDF candidate Hon. Fobi will surely face Tawa while Chopong Michael who is lone aspirant for Santa Special Constituency will be meeting Hon. Nji Tumasang (sdf candidate) Yet Kan Elroy (formerly TPG for NW) has been designated as Council list leader for the CPDM in Santa. Mbonefor Kennedy is also cited as the lone Parliamentary candidate for Bafut/Tubah is waxing to take on Nahmukong Fusi SDF Candidate.

In Bui, the battle is rough in the Jakiri Special Constituency as Hon. Wirngo Buba is being challenged by a young Mbororo man. They are all looking up to the Investiture for the final decision. They will face Joe Wirba SDF candidate.  Mr. Bamboye and Fon Dufe Lillian will represent the interest of the CPDM for the two parliamentary seats for Kumbo Central and Nkum/ Mbiame. In the same vein the SDF has also endorsed Hon. Banadzem and one other woman from Nkum to defend SDF interest.

 In the Oku/Noni Special Constituency, PM Yang's own backyard there is no consensus has been reached over the candidature of Hon. Nkwi and young Finnew Mabu who is being backed by the Noni.

 In Donga Mantung Division, Gerard Ngala and Ngandong Nfor Naomi have been invested as CPDM substantive candidates for Donga Mantung Center Constituency in the upcoming Legislative elections. Gerard Ngala will be the CPDM flag bearer in Nkambe Central while Madame Ngandong Nfor Naomi will represent the interest of the CPDM in Ndu as well. The alternate to Gerard Ngala in Nkambe is Mbukur Florence while the Madame Ngandong Nfor Naomi's alternate is John Ngala Ndi. The cpdm candidates will face Hon. Awudu Mbaya and Hon. Esther Ngala Ntala SDF candidates. On the other hand, Ali Adamu Wilfred has also been endorsed to head the CPDM council list for Nkambe. Alhadj Abdou Borno Kamfon whose candidature was dropped as Parliamentary candidates heads the cpdm council list for Ndu.

In the Ako/Misaje Special Constituency, all eyes are looking at the Investiture to decide who will be parliamentary candidate between two contenders, Abe Michael and Salifu. They all hail from Ako sub division given that Misaje did not submit any candidature. On the other hand, the SDF candidate for Ako/Misaje Shewa David stood unchallenged at the primaries. Also contesting in Misaje is Ndansi Elvis who is NUDP parliamentary aspirant. NUDP is also expected to submit a list for the council.

In Nwa, two lists have been tabled to the Investiture also decide on the parliamentary candidate. Incumbent Hon. Genesis Mbucksek and Nyangaji Job could not reach a consensus. The CPDM candidate who will be chosen from Nwa will lock horns Njinka Bungong SDF aspirant for Nwa. In the Njikwa/Widikum/Ngi Constituency, Hon Enwi has been challenged by Obango Halle and one other. The three candidates could not reach for a consensus list and they are all looking at Yaounde to take the final decision.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Fru Ndi Supports Biya's Gangsterism

 By Teche Nyamusa

(In line with my support base’s aspirations not to go for mini-teaspoon measures in addressing governance in our dear fatherland, Cameroon, I, Felix Teche Nyamusa, did not submit my application for the 8 July 2013 parliamentary primaries – our heartfelt apologies to sympathizers getting this decision for the very first time .I however remain a hopeful advocate for good governance hence the continuous use of the tag “Parliamentary hopeful”. We have no problem with SDF 2013 endorsed parliament and council candidates. The amendable hurdle is with some members of the hierarchy not the SDF grassroots!).

          President Paul Biya and his party, CPDM illegally control the public treasury tendering no explanation to Cameroonians or genuine adversary political parties of the nation. Executive President, Biya appoints members of the legislature and heads the country’s judiciary. Here he promotes, transfers and sanctions amongst other judicial chores magistrates and judges against time honoured global democracy practice of separation of powers. Electoral disputes and other litigations involving the CPDM are judged seeking first Biya’s consent. The elections body, now ELECAM, has its personnel appointed by the presidency which personnel are of course predominantly CPDM militants. They rig elections persistently in favour of CPDM. Fru Ndi – leader of number one opposition continuing to collaborate with the regime and going for elections under these circumstances is supporting Biya’s gangsterism.

          A handful of hard-earned seats of the 180-man parliament won by the opposition cannot pass good bills affecting the well-being of Cameroonians into law in the presence of the ill-gotten CPDM crushing majority in parliament. A few permitted opposition councils, again regrettably controlled by regime appointees - D.O s, Government Delegates, Regional Governors et al, cannot deliver our people from poverty and want. Collaborating and going for such elections endlessly despite our years of learning is deceiving Cameroonians particularly the downtrodden. It is no secret that many a Cameroonian’s desire, today, is to immigrate, at times under life-threatening situations, into other countries for paying job opportunities. It is worth knowing that these countries of our desire in Africa, Europe, America et al, fought hard in achieving their today’s treasures -  so too can Cameroon. It makes no sense going into elections continuously where Biya/CPDM will rig and at the end of the day children including adults begin searching for means to emigrate into the Diaspora.  After more than 23 years of perseverance to see whether the regime can get to fair play to no avail, we should exploit other methods. Countries in Africa and elsewhere get significantly improved - Cameroon should not be an exception. Sustained boycott of polls and effective campaigns to the power base that is, majority Cameroonians to vote good laws is a major component of the solution. Excuses of CPDM and allies grabbing all elective positions when we abstain from elections are inconsequential because even in the one party CPDM years, Cameroon was not prosperous. The regime in place is spendthrift. In those Biya’s single party years, the country was instead indebted, impoverished, and heavily corrupt. Genuine opposition seeking for change should be able to stand the test of time campaigning until genuine transformation comes – this “One-leg-in the other out” would not help Cameroon.

          The last pioneer senatorial witnessed how CPDM, despite the electioneering modifications and trumpeted plans for emergence from lack (vision 2035), used the public purse to the embarrassment of the opposition in buying voters consciences and rigged the elections in her favour . Nothing stops the regime from continuously repeating this unconstitutionality – thus when shall the opposition take over and lead based on her manifesto?

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Meet Keyi Dickson Nyazi: The Young Rising Politician

 Keyi Dickson Nyai CPDM is the councilor for Abafum in Ako Municipality, Donga Mantung Division in the North West Region. Keyi Dickson like many other supporters of the CPDM in Ako Sub Division is a young politician who believes that Abafum village as well as the entire Ako council area can only be disnclaved through President Biya.  

While a majority of CPDM militants only paying lip service to the ruling party and its national chairman, Keyi Dickson Nyazi translates his words into actions in preaching the political ideologies of the CPDM. Born and breed in a border village, Abafum, whose economy for the past years has been in the hands of Nigerians, Keyi Dickson is being tagged as the Biblical Moses whose mission is to the Israelites. In his capacity as the Councilor of Abafum village, Keyi Dickson since 2007 has been burning the midnight candle to change foster development efforts in his community. The best way to prove that he loves the CPDM is not only to work towards victory for the ruling party and chairman, but also to do good things so as to convince more militants to join him in the winning side reasons why he has worked hard to improve on the image of the CPDM in Abafum. Many are of the taste that in the upcoming elections, a Vote for the CPDM is a vote for Fuh Calistus, Abe Michael and Keyi Dickson given their commitments in the CPDM and the legacies they have for the party.

What is interesting about Ako sub Division is the fact that there are many people with different political views, but yet, Keyi Dickson has stood the taste of time as the most convincing young politician in Ako Sub Division. Ever since he entered into active politics as a councilor, he had never told a lie. As the September 30, 2013 municipal elections approaches, his output in the Ako Council is being appreciated by the population and many still look up to him as the lone person who can eradicate the present stalemate in the Ako Council.  The God-fearing young Keyi Dickson is widely acclaimed as rare specie of politician. Just because all this while he has made the people to identify one goal in politics which is development. Politics is power they say and yet Keyi’s political maturity is so much that he is even appreciated by his adversaries. He says that even though some people may sympathize with the opposition in his village but they know the opposition has nothing to offer given that his desire is to link Abafum to Ako by road as well as give the Ako Council the impetus its deserve. He explained that the future lies in the CPDM and Paul Biya. Far from insulting the opposition, Keyi Dickson uses a very polite language and down to earth illustrations to convince people to understand the meaning of politics. From Buku to Mbade down to Abueshie, up to Akwaja right up to Jevy, Keyi Dickson is being admired by everyone, the young and the old for his knack to lead. He as leadership qualities that could only be compared those of Farfre in the Mayor of Casterbridge. If you have never met a convincing young politician, met him in the field and you will agree with me that he has that God given charm that attracts people.  Keyi’s political maturity is second to known especially when it comes to brilliant ideas that could foster development efforts. His conviction about the CPDM remains unshakable as he has always stood by the tenets of his party. 

Who is Councilor Keyi Dickson Nyazi?

Keyi Dickson hails from Abafum, one of the border villages in Ako Sub Division. He started his primary education at GS Abafum where he obtained the First School leaving Certificate in 1986. After primary education, the quest for more knowledge took him to Government High School Nkambe where in 1993; he obtained the GCE (Ordinary Level Certificate) in flying colours. He enrolled at the General Mutala Mohammed College, Yola where he obtained the West African Examination Council Certificate in 1994. Upon graduation, he got admission into the Adamawa State Polytechnic but due to ill-health he was obliged to return back home. While in Abafum he was recruited to serve as the standby pharmacy attendant for the health center where he served for four months. In the year 2000, he got admission into the Bamenda based Nursing School and in 2002, he graduated with a Diploma in Community Health Nursing. He later worked at the Abu Health Center in Fundong for six months but was later moved to the Foumban District Hospital where he also served for 8 months. From Foumban, he moved to the Ako District Hospital where he worked for one year and decided to go back to Abafum to serve as a community health volunteer when there was not even a health post for his community. He delivered more than 160 women, circumcised about 70 boys and treated about 2000 patients with some not even paying a dime. When in 2007, he decided to enter into active politics, the people of Abafum voted him overwhelmingly to represent them. While as councilor, he has been result-oriented.

The Pragmatic Councilor

The style he has adopted in politics has attracted young dynamic men and women to come closer to him. This is because he has made the CPDM a religion in Lower Mbembe. This is so because as a man, Keyi Dickson is soft spoken, respectful, honest and friendly. It is easy to think that Keyi Dickson is fanatical or wants to seek personal aggrandizements. No! Far from it, as an individual he has economically fulfilled. But unfortunately, his people still need good roads, health centers, good infrastructures, schools etc etc. Keyi believes firmly like Nkwame Nkruma that we should first seek the political kingdom and everything else would come. The things that he wants to see coming are for his people and the political kingdom is the constituency that benefits. When President Paul Biya offered the free acquisition of identity cards, Councilor Keyi Dickson was able to sponsor the acquisition of over 700 nationalities for the population of Abafum to enable everyone obtained the national identity card. He offered scholarships to pupils and students to encourage excellence in schools. He also lobbied and two primary schools were created at Ekepin and Npentaba, all in Abafum village. He donated gifts to the youth day center at Buku in Lower Mbembe. Keyi also lobbied to obtain funding for the rehabilitation of classrooms at GS Abafum where he is PTA chairman. Besides, he also donated planks for benches at GS Npentaba. He lobbied for scholarship for students of GHS Ako in his capacity as the Secretary of the Education Committee of the Council. Given his trustworthiness, Keyi also served as project overseer for the construction and equipping of Buku Health Center project sponsored by GP DERUDEP. He lobbied and obtained the construction of two classrooms, VIP toilet, and benches including potable water at GS Abatu. He fought for the creation of GNS Abafum and as a great philanthropist, he assisted four applicants into GTTC Nkambe from Abafum, Buku, Ndaka and Ako and one lone candidate into the school of forestry in Mbalmayo. He is constantly sponsoring six orphans in primary and secondary school in his community. His leadership qualities caught the admiration of councilors and he was voted as Committee chairperson for Health in the Ako Council. Besides, he is quoted to have assisted some councilors financially to compile their documents for the upcoming municipal elections. What is so interesting about Keyi is that he served as a CBC teacher in his community, held the position of financial secretary in CBC Abafum, Men’s leader and Project chairman where he left a mark of greatness.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

CPDM Paralyzes Government Services

 By Nfor Mac-bright
It is widely acknowledged that the relationship between civil servants and politicians is as fascinating as it is complex with their mutual interdependence. But in Cameroon all senior state civil servants are involved in politics. For reasons of efficiency it is important that the civil service has a certain degree of independence and detachment from the political process yet it is not the case. As CPDM team moves into the field to receive applications from aspirants for the upcoming municipal and legislative elections of September 30, 2013, activities in all the ministries are reported to have come to a standstill. Since the publication of the circular signed July 5, 2013, by the National President of the CPDM and on what can be considered as the procedure of nominations of CPDM candidates for the legislative and municipal elections, followed by the 06 July decisions appointing the members of the various committees, and those concerning the common 360 sub Divisions, all senior civil servants have abandoned their posts. Ministers and Directors of state Corporations have all vamoosed into their native areas to oversee the selection of candidates. Ministries have been left in the hands of secretaries and cleaners. Hear one of them, “The minister is not in. We do not know when he will return”. You do not know what is happening now in the country. This frenzy in the current political context is understandable. The fact is that Cameroon is heading towards the twilight of sterilization of politics in favor of the CPDM and the perpetuation of the reign of Paul Biya.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Donga Mantung: Participatory Committee to Champion Community Work on Ring Road

 By Fai Cassian Ndi

Chorry: The worst spot on the ring road

.The Divisional Participatory Follow-up Committee for the execution of Public Investment Projects in Donga Mantung Division has frowned at the poor state of the stretch of the Ring Road linking the Division to the Regional Capital Bamenda. Committee members observed that from Ndu to Nkambe is not just a nightmare but demands serious prayers and fasting. For the past three days, it is impossible for cars to travel from Nkambe to Ndu given the state of nature of the road. In order to rescue Donga Mantung from being cut-off from the rest of Cameroon, members of the committee resolved to work in collaboration with the Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung Division, Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard to mobilize the population to work on the bad spots of the Ring Road. It should be noted that it is at this time of the year that every little hill along the Bamenda Ring Road always make a name. Vehicles and passengers are reported to have passed the night at either the Hill Top at Ndu or Chorry in Mbot. The dilemma of horrific roads in this part of the country has become a painful shame. In Donga Mantung Division for example, normal interaction has been frustrated by bad roads. Vehicle owners are in distress as their vehicles are not used optimally. In a border Division with hardly any railway, no air service and now no good access roads, the citizens of Donga Mantung Division feel trapped with nowhere to turn as members of the Committee for the participatory Follow-up of Public Investment projects have decided to dance to the tune of the peoples’ destiny. At least over 10.000 people are expected to be mobilized to work on the bad spots of the road by next week.

The road to Nkambe commonly known as the Ring Road is a big shame to the Biya regime. It is so bad that traveling from Ndu to Nkambe on the Ring Road needs two days whereas it is less than 40 kilometers. Even vehicles using that road invariably retire to a mechanics workshop at the end of every journey. Transporters are hurting and are bewildered that despite their payment of all road taxes to Government and the various rates to the state and local governments, little is being done to repair the roads upon which their livelihood depends. It is not just a nightmare but a therapeutic theater of trauma for any pregnant woman and children below the ages of two. Just from Ndu to Nkambe, there are trucks that have sunk into the mud and have remained on the spot for the past one week.  Besides, the very many potholes and detours mean that vehicles keep breaking down and sometimes with disastrous consequences.  

It is common for thieves, rapists and other miscreants to ensconce themselves in bad portions of the roads where all vehicles virtually come to a halt. Traveling on this stretch of the ring road represents a perpetual danger to the population. Instead, the present state of nature of the Ring Road makes it impossible to plan a journey or predict arrival time. For instant, the mayor of Ndu who left his office to attend the follow-up meeting in Nkambe arrival four hours late whereas this is a journey of 45 minutes. Commercial activity is suffering as goods and services are now in short supply leading to price increases in practically all consumer items. The fare from Nkambe to Ndu has been doubled to the detriment of the population. 

On the low execution rate of Public Investment Projects in the Division has been blamed on the state of nature of the road linking Donga Mantung Division. As Committee members met today July 10, 2013 under the chairmanship of Ngabir Paul Bantar they observed with dissatisfaction the low physical and financial realization recorded. Out of 46 projects allocated for the Division, only 02 projects have been completely executed, while 02 other projects are still on-going. According to reports, the physical realization stands at 2.14% while financial realization is at 2.04%. With barely five months left for the financial year to elapse, participants feared that all these projects may not be executed given the slowness in execution. However, control engineers complained that they are facing the problem of logistics given that most of the projects are located on difficult terrains at enclaved localities. The committee however recommended that each Divisional Delegate should write to the Ministry to request for logistics to ensure constant site visits. Furthermore, the question on the completion of the Binka Ring Road abound high as the Divsional Delegate for MINEPAT presented an assessment contrary to one that was presented to the committee that the contractor abandoned the project and was owing more than 11 million FCFA. The Chairman of the Committee Ngabir Paul Bantar called on mayors of Donga Mantung Division to always attend follow-up meetings in order to report on council projects or send true representatives who can be able to answer to any worry. I is even alleged that the contractor who has been awarded the job to carryout maintenance work on the stretch of the Ring Road from Kumbovia Ndu to Nkambe has declared that if all the funds are not paid he will not start work reasons why the population of Donga Mantung Division has decided to take the bull by the horns by taking their destiny into their hands. 

Traveling along the ring road doesn’t require any stranger to look for signposts, because the nature of the road is always a topic of conversation and most celebrated areas are always key topics. This is so because after each 1km or even less, the driver will always ask passengers to jump down and push the car. Here one of them “we are at "Chorry", please everybody should move out of the car because we have to push”.

Transporters are lamenting the loss of revenue. They can only operate skeletal services during the day and cannot operate at night because of the unknown especially when it rians. Their revenue is down by 70% and unless the roads are repaired, the transporters may well abandon their trade. Already bad roads have led to a reduction in travel.

It is holiday period when Donga Mantung experiences an upsurge in commuter traffic as everyone is expected to send kids home yet even this reporter has not been able to send his kids to meet grand Mum due to the poor nature of the road. With the roads being in such poor state it is doubtful whether individuals would be prepared to put themselves through the rigours of a punishing journey merely for the sake of celebrating the yuletide with their kith and kin and friends.  

Another problem besetting the ring road is that government cares little about the people of Donga Mantung Division.  

The lack of maintenance of roads in Cameroon has become a public issue as Cameroonians are daily lamenting this failure of leadership. Good roads are a basic component of good governance. Cameroonians are routinely being put at risk everyday as a result of the failure of the state to provide adequate amenities for its citizens. All the authorities involved in road construction and maintenance should buckle down and do something to remove this blot on Cameroon’s image. We are even made to understand that this road is tarred on papers

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

SDF Primaries: Hon. Awudu Wins by Acclamation

 By Fai Cassian Ndi

The over 1000 SDF delegates who attended the election were unanimous in their choice. The most interesting thing is that when Hon. Awudu was called up to campaign, the entire hall gave a standing ovation as voices were heard chanting the famous “We are one, oh oh we are together, we are one!!”. It was a moment of total commitment as the over 1000 delegates catapulted Hon. Awudu Mbaya Cyprian in songs.

It took almost the organizing committee 45 minutes to put some order in order to give room for the Education Secretary of the Nkambe Electoral District, Madame Mary Awudu to give lectures on election modalities. After the explanations the question as to whether they were other aspirants. Madame  Njobe Florence and Shey Emmanuel moved up to declare their candidatures but the organizing committee said they had not received any application from the two candidates as per the party rules and regulations governing primaries. To many, this was just a joke to by the two candidates to add more fanfare to Hon. Awudu’s 100% victory.

When Hon. Awudu Mbaya was called up to the rostrum to present his campaign message, he gave a vivid picturesque of his achievements and the reasons why he wants to go back to Parliament.  Presenting his balance sheet as MP for Nkambe Central, Hon. Awudu Mbaya said in his capacity as Representative of the people he has extended a hand of fellowship to all the villages. He said with micro project grant, he has constructed bridges, electrified villages, built community halls, donated benches to schools, supported palaces, sub palaces, churches, donated planting materials/inputs to farmers. “I have done all what is humanly possible” given that no village or quarter in Nkambe has been neglected. He told the delegates that if they endorse his candidature, they should stand by him. Accordingly, he told the delegates that the work of the MP is a collective one which implies that all of them are his advisers. More so “ we should always go to God” he emphasized. He said he is not going to make any fanatic promises and that he would remain the humble servant. He then submitted himself to the delegates to take their decision. Before he could get back to the sit, a voice enchanted that “Hon. Awudu Mbaya ton mandate n’est pas finir a Yaounde” meaning that “Hon. Awudu, your mandate is not finished in Yaounde”. It ignited that thunderous applause and the delegates unanimously endorsed his candidature. The delegates rejected casting their votes arguing that Hon. Awudu is lone candidate in whom they trust.

Talking to this reporter, Hon. Awudu Mbaya sounded optimistic ahead of the September 30, Legislative Elections. He used the opportunity to call on his supporters to make sure that they all collect their voters’ cards in order to prepare for the elections. He said the confidence bestowed on him by SDF delegates was a mark of trust and confidence and with God being by them, everything will be possible. “All this people you see here came on their own, nobody paid for their transportation, the young, the old, in fact it gives me courage that my people still want me to serve them and I will do it with God being my helper”.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa