Why Biya Sacked University of Douala & Yaounde II Rectors

Titanji Out But Biya Slams Another Dead Blow On Abety

By Yussuf Sariki

It was like a time-bomb when the decree fell. It had been long ordered, given that even Vincent PK Titanji was due retirement. At the University of Buea, he was already facing diminishing returns. Titanji had allegedly been mired in any financial/misappropriation scandals. But with the cases of Jean Tabi Manga and Bruno Bekolo Ebe, Rectors of the University of Yaounde II, Douala respectively, no one could doubt. To analysts, last week’s decree came to put to halt speculations/revendications. One of the major culprits, who was tacitly crushed was Dr. Peter Alange Abety.

Last week’s decree appointed Prof Oumarou Bouba as Rector of Soa. He quits Nkoaekelle to Prof Maurice sosso, to replace Jean Tabi Manga. Also, Prof Dieudonné Oyono, a specialist in good governance takes over from Bruno Bekolo Ebe as Rector of the University of Douala. Nalova Lyonga succeeds Titanji, going on retirement. Yet Bruno Bekolo and Jean Tabi Manga have been faulted. The former had long been slammed a fine, to pay following questionable spendings.

Even prior to his replacement, scores of students of the University of Soa staged a protest. They requested the resignation of Jean Tabi Manga as Rector. Yet, the erudite Rector did not see the signs. Commentators say if he had the foresight, he would have long resigned before being disgraced by President Paul Biya. It is expected that Jean Tabi Manga is a good case for Kondengui like other top government officials faulted in same miasma.

Bruno Bekolo Ebe, Rector of the University of Douala has just been summoned to appear before supreme state auditors. He has a case to answer alongside, Humphrey Monono Ekema of the GCE Board. Chronicle has been told that because no one faces the audit and comes out free, Bruno Bekolo’s fate if sealed.

Vincent Titanji is the other University don fired. Chronicle is aware that he expected his sacking, given that he had since been qualified as being on retirement. But what Chronicle learnt is the fact that Titanji did not project a North Westerner to succeed him.

The only North West son who long had ambitions to be a Vice Chancellor/Rector is Peter Abety. According to analysts, Biya’s decree last week negated the dreams of Abety and North: that with Titanji gone, another North West son would have normally been placed to succeed him.

Could it be Peter Abety? President Biya decided otherwise. It is believed that Biya acts on what his collaborators tell him. Chronicle is aware that just when the University of Bamenda was created, Dr. Peter Abety zoomed into full action. Chronicle is aware that he led a delegation to Yaounde to see Fame Ndongo, Minister of Higher Education.

Chronicle gathered that even members of the delegation were crestfallen with the drama they witnessed. Accordingly, Abety stooped/went on his knees and pleaded to Fame Ndongo to recommend his appointment as Vice Chancellor of the University of Bamenda. This was done. Yet, instead of Abety, it was Edokat Tafah appointed.

When President Biya therefore signed last week’s decree appointing Rectors and Vice Chancellors of State Universities, it was another frustration for Abety. It is believed that having secured a Professorship, he had thus paved his way to become a Vice Chancellor anywhere.

Abety is no doubt the Board chairman of the Cameroon GCE Board. Last week, he roved alongside with Humphrey Monono Ekema within GCE marking centres in Bamenda. It is widely held that with Abety out from last week’s presidential decree of Rectors and Vice Chancellors, it is foregone for him.

With the probe of the GCE Board it is unclear whether Monono and Abety would be free. Without which Chronicle gathered, is root cause why Biya negates Abety.