Complete List of ELECAM Officials in North West and South West Regions CPDM Dominates, SDF Says it is Scandalous

Despite President Paul Biya’s announcement that there shall be adjustments in ELECAM, nothing to that effect has been done, two months after the declaration was made during the traditional end-of-year address to the nation, on December 31, 2009.

This notwithstanding, it is business as usual at Elections Cameroon, ELECAM, the autonomous elections management body as slowly but surely, the body is putting in place all its structures on the field. The recent transfer of electoral material from the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, MINATD, to the body was a step further in consolidating the body’s authority on the field.

Recently the Board’s Chairman, Dr. Samuel Fonkam Azu’u said that the body would begin the registration exercise immediately it is done with the training of its field staff. The composition of the various structures at the Regional, Divisional and Council levels is generating as much controversy and criticism especially from the opposition just like when the 12-member board was appointed in December 2008 and which was stuffed with many die-hard CPDM faithfuls.

The feeling is the same when one looks at the composition of the lists. Most of those who have been recruited are either former CPDM frontline militants or are sympathisers.

South West

The opposition, especially the Social Democratic Front, SDF, in the Region is particularly miffed by the fact that it was not consulted unlike in the North West where Dr. Fonkam Azu’u claimed in an interview that he consulted all the major stake-holders before appointing officials in the Region.

In a chat with the SDF Provincial Chairman, Mr. Tabi Johnson, he said the party is preparing a serious protest letter against some of those appointed and who are staunch CPDM militants. Tabi Johnson started by criticizing the appointment of Emmanuel Njang, a former CPDM Charge de Mission and subsection president in Buea, as Regional Delegate. He also expressed at angered at the fact that in places like Manyu, the Divisional Cordinator, Mr. Eyong Zacharia was a former Deputy Mayor in Mamfe under the CPDM.

The SDF also questions the integrity of the Council supervisor in Akwaya, Mr. Akwo cletus Atiateh, former CPDM councilor and who works at the Regional delegation of Tourism in Buea. The same holds for Eyumojock where Mr. Mbianyior Peter Ako, brother to former Minister Mbianyior Clarkson is to supervise and also for Tinto where Orock Princely Jerry, a tutor is in charge.

In Meme there is serious bone of contention over the choice of Mewanu Divine, a well-known CPDM militant as Coordinator. SDF officials also claim that the three Council Supervisors, namely Ndoh Akame Elizabeth , Godwill Lenya and Essama Shade Ako are all CPDM frontliners.

In Fako, while Mr. Tetevi Bodylawson, former Principal of Saker Baptist and Baptist Education Secretary has not been openly identified with the CPDM, many hold he is a sympathizer. The SDF is equally aggrieved over the appointment of Mr. Dalle Luma as Supervisor in Idenau. They certainly confuse him with his elder brother, Mr. Isaac Dalle who is Fako I YCPDM section president. The same suspicion is being raised for Ngumba Angela in Limbe II who comes from a well-known CPDM family.

In Ndian, Senior Journalist and a respected newspaper columnist is Coordinator. He has no strong political leaning but this may not be the same for the rest of the Council supervisors. The SUN has been reliably informed that Dr. Dorothy Njeuma, ELECAM South West Board member is bitter over the imposition of some Divisional Coordinators by Yaounde through the handiwork of some elite and highly-placed personalities.

What is certain is that most of these officials shall begin their assignments with a huge deficit of trust and confidence and it is only they who can wipe out that deficit by refusing to pander to pressure from politicians and those who proposed them for appointments.

By Nicolas Moture