Internal Battles for CPDM Mayorship
By Christopher Ambe Suh on Assignment in Buea
It is unbelievable, but it is true: there is now deep fear within the Buea section of the Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement, CPDM, that the ruling party, which has always boasted publicly of having a firm grip on the Buea electorate, may not, afterall, win next year's municipal election in the Southwest provincial capital. Militants of this school of thought-there are many- base their fear on what they describe as "the lack of concrete evidence of achievements with which to actually woo the now very conscious voters".
The CPDM took over the management of Buea Council, for a five-year period, from the Social Democratic Front, SDF party, in June 2002, after that year's election, which was described by opposition parties as marred by fraud and other irregularities. Next municipal elections are expected to take place before or in June 2007.
"The upcoming municipal and legislative elections will take place in a completely new context and legal framework. We must close ranks and work together if we (CPDM) want to achieve success," Prime Minister Ephraim Inoni warned at a recent Fako CPDM joint conference in Buea. "Let's start preparing our people for the elections as no election is won in advance.''
The warning bells of the Prime Minister seemed to have excited some aspirants for the office of mayor to intensify secret electioneering. Fear by many CPDM militants of losing next election has not, however, prevented secret electioneering; secret, because the local party hierarchy recently banned what it described as illegal campaigns for posts that were being carried out by some office hopefuls. Sources report that during such campaigns the campaigners resort to blackmail and vilification of others, a practice that the party has often condemned.
"It is not yet campaign time. People have a right to their political ambitions, but they have to wait until campaigns are officially launched," cautioned Arthur Lisinge, Buea CPDM boss at a recent party conference that was intended to restore order in the section, characterized by internal wrangling.
Already possible CPDM contestants for the 2007 Buea mayorship, as hinted by some subterranean militants, include: Dr Namanga Ngongi, a former United Nations senior official; Mrs Epuli Elisabeth Mokake, retired Southwest Chief of Stores Accounting; Mr Emmanuel Mbome Motomby, government sub-treasurer for Tiko and Chief Augustine Elongo, Head-teacher of Government School, Molyko.
There are rumours that some Fako citizens, men and women, as far as in the Yaounde and in the Diaspora are amassing arsenals to launch a bid for the mayorship position. Strong reports also cite former Buea mayors Peter Ikundi and Smith Becke, each, as intending to stage a comeback at the helm of the Council. They are said to be confident that they did well during their tenures as mayors and think they will be given another chance.
The incumbent mayor, Charles Mbella Moki, who in 2002 outfoxed Buea CPDM boss, Arthur Lisinge Ekeke, to become mayor, may still try his luck, commentators said. Contacted, Arthur Lisinge refused to comment on the mayoral secret tussle. But a source close to him claimed, "Mr Lisinge is not interested in becoming mayor again. He once contested but can't try again next year. He is looking elsewhere now."
Just like Mr. Lisinge, the incumbent mayor declined to say whether or not he still eyes another mandate. "Let the people say what they wish, but I don't want to voice out now," the mayor remarked in his office to this reporter and would not comment further. In his reaction to rumors that he is a possible candidate for Buea mayorship, Chief Augustine Elongo, noted, "I am a grassroots militant and wish to support the party from the base to enable it achieve victory at any poll."
Some political observers, in conversation with The Entrepreneur, thought that, Arthur Lisinge and Mbella Moki were just being politically careful with their utterances. The observers noted that, both Messrs Lisinge and Mbella are long-time foes who may still lock horns for the post of mayor.
It is not enough to have mayoral ambitions. Hopefuls must first win election as councilors in their constituencies before the 41 councilors of Buea Council will elect, among themselves, a mayor who will manage the council's annual budget, which so far has stood at over of 500million FCFA. Many local party officials and other partisans whom this reporter sampled their views on the party's prospects of still wining another council mandate were unanimous that the chances are quite slim. They spoke anonymously, noting that the issue was too sensitive. "There are little or no concrete executed council projects that will serve as the weapons with which to beat the opposition at the municipal polls in Buea to secure another mandate," a Buea CPDM official bemoaned. "The council under the present management has not achieved much that we can boast of. ''
Others wondered why the much-publicized council project-the transformation of the Buea Motor Park into an ultra-modern business center valued at over 400million FCFA, up to now has not been executed. "Time is fast closing in on us and we may end up having very little to show," cried one militant who, however, argued that the non-execution of the motor park project was due to liquidity problems faced by the council.
Although gripped by fear, the CPDM, it appears, is still determined to retain the council .Militants on the field trying to win over more people and encourage CPDM sympathizers to enroll massively in elector registers. "Achievement or none by the current cou, tncil management, I think the CPDM will still emerge victorious at next political consultations. We did not win the council from the SDF in 2002 because we displayed projects carried out," noted one YCPDM official. "We have our Ways of convincing the electorate to vote us" .A rather optimistic Buea Councillor Esombe Samuel Nyoki, observed, "It is certain that the CPDM will win next municipal and legislative election in Buea. The opposition is not significantly represented here."
As the political curtain is drawn at the dawn of the 2007 election season, residents of Buea municipality will surely be entertained with macho-political wizardry that spans the spectrum from the experienced politicians to new comers. Buea is surely the place to be in 2007!
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