MINATD Orders Momo SDO To Organize New Elections For Mbengwi Batibo & Andek Mayors

By Tetuh Mbah

Rene Emmanuel Sadi, Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, MINATD, has not been unconcerned about the plight of councils in Momo division of the North West Region. Last weekend, a MINATD insider hinted Chronicle on grounds of anonymity that Rene Sadi had already given instructions to the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO for Momo. But Isaac Moundourou, Chronicle has been told has merely kept the instructions very cagey, pertaining to the election of mayors in four councils, whose mayors are behind bars.

Lawrence Tenoh Ndangoh of Batibo, George Tah Mbah of Mbengwi and Johnnie Agogho of Andek have questions to answer following their alleged involvement in the misappropriation of state funds. The mayors accused to have siphoned huge sums realized through the sale of communal stamps.

Rumour about the imminent election of new mayors for Batibo, Mbengwi and Andek and the 1^st deputy mayor for Njikwa is what Chronicle gathered, has sent councilors on the field lobbying.

* In Batibo, though Frederick Tanjoh the first deputy is acting, he is plagued by his inabilities to commit the council financially. Chronicle gathered that all bills have to be visaed and endorsed by the Momo SDO, before being paid. With elections signaled, several candidates have tacitly been lobbying underground. Some of the names cited include Councillor Maurice Werewum, the present SDF district chairman, Thomas Mbatifuh-former mayor. It is unclear whether Tanjoh would contest, though as the law requires, he must resign as first deputy before eyeing the mayorship.

* For Mbengwi, there is an exciting scenario, given that three (3) political parties control the council. Presently, SDF is left with just 12 councillors, CPDM has five (5) while APF has one. The split with SDF councilors could cause CPDM to carry the day. Chronicle gathered that the SDO wants to appoint Richard Awadam Tanyi, who is the present first deputy mayor to succeed Tah George Mbah. Yet, some sources allege that Hon PC Fonso, the member of parliament is divided between Odilia Nangeh Fomiyen (one-time first deputy mayor) and Enih Edna Mbah, the Mbengwi SDF district chairlady. Yet, a compromise candidate, whom Chronicle gathered has not overtly expressed his intensions, is Joshua Ndingwan Mukuro.

Councillor Mukuro, Chronicle gathered is the one who unveiled the scam involving Mayor Tah George, leading to his arrest. He is said to have dug-up varied corruption files implicating his mayor. It is believed that with him having created the explosive, he be given a chance, so as to be challenged when he fails. Chronicle gathered that without any external influence, Mukuro can carry the day to become the successor of Tah George.

* For Andek, no one doubts the fact that Akwefei Monica, the first deputy mayor would just be catapulted to replace Agogho. She had been one of the ardent critics of Agogho, who in the most part had been qualified as an absentee landlord. He had been criticized fo residing in Yaounde, though lording over Andek, where he even hasn’t a residence. Agogho is expected to pay 34 million FCFA for stamps.

It is believed that that some of the mayors had paid back what was required though belated. Accordingly, they may be sanctioned by the crime per se. in Njikwa, where the 1^st deputy mayor, Godwill Amahndong is also detained for misappropriating 32.8 million FCFA, Chronicle also learnt that councillors are lobbying to replace him.

MINATD is also expected to extend to Ngoketunjia division, where the mayors of Ndop, Babessi are in same soup (Affair a suivre…)