BY TALLA AGHAA CHRISTOPHER
Ndian Division is one of the largest Divisions in the South West Region. The Division prides itself as a bastion of the ruling Cameroon People Democratic Movement, CPDM party. The division has eight sub-divisions with three constituencies and three MPs. The parliamentarians include; Hon Meboka Mary who covers the Bakassi peninsula, Mundemba and Toko areas, Hon Ngale Daniel of the Bamusso area and Hon. Abang Peter Njume of Ekondo-Titi and Dikume Balue.
With just one year to go to the end of their mandate, and elections expected to hold in 2018, there are already underground moves to see that these parliamentarians don’t go back to the Glass House. The SUN gathered that it is expected that the party will maintain the investiture method in selecting candidates and not primaries.
Reports suggest that Divisional Delegate for Employment and Vocational Training for Ndian, Elangwe William Itoe and Chairman of the Infrastructure Committee for the CPDM-run Ekondo-Titi Council is already mapping out his political strategy to unseat Hon. Abang Peter Njume of Ekondo-Titi and Dikume Balue Constituency. While Elangwe William hails from the Balue clan, Hon Abang Peter Njume is of the Balong Clan. The SUN was also reliably informed that Elangwe William had convened a meeting of some political stakeholders in Ekondo-Titi and declared his intention to contest in next year parliamentary election. His justification is that the Balongs have dominated politics for a very long period in the Ekondo-Titi/Dikume Balue constituency and it is now time to pass the torch to the Balue people.
However, it won’t be a walk in the park for Elangwe William. Another candidate, Nebale Mukete Joseph, a taxation expert from the National School of Administration and Magistracy, ENAM has equally voiced his desire to contest for the parliamentary seat. Nebale Mukete Joseph hails from Dikume Balue sub Division and is current President General for Balue Development and Cultural Association. He also recommends that Dikume Balue should be considered this time around in the race for parliament, taking into consideration that only Ekondo Titi Sub Division has always produced a Parliamentarian.
With all these developments, it is clear that the race for who to replace Hon Abang Peter Njume promises to be tough since Hon Njume is not a push over. He is considered as a political guru and masters the CPDM game very well. His contribution in transforming his constituency cannot be underestimated. His parliamentary micro grants, his admirers say, is very much visible in the field. All these THE SUN gathered is already a talking point in the area, and to arrest this confusion when the selection period comes knocking, a Traditional ruler who pleaded not to be named, disclosed that Chiefs of EkondoTiti are already planning to wade into the matter for peace to reign and for the constituency to present a single candidate as has always been the case in past elections.
Meanwhile, in next door Mundemba, Toko and Bakassi Peninsular constituency, where Hon Meboka Mary has been Parliamentarian since 2007.The name that is on everybody’s lips is that of one Mbenda Job, Ndian Divisional Coordinator of the President Paul Biya Youths, PRESBY, Councilor of the CPDM-run Toko Council and works for the Cameroon Airlines, CAMAIRCO. He is described by his admirers as young humble and dynamic. His imminent candidature presents an opportunity for Toko to produce a Parliamentarian, since Mundemba has already benefited in the last two mandates and the Bakassi Area has a Senator. Mbenda Job’s chances are however slim considering the fact that Hon Meboka Mary is already a household name within the CPDM party. She is the Secretary of the CPDM Parliamentary group and political commentators were quick to suggest that she may be imposed by the CPDM hierarchy.
In the case of Bamusso where Hon. Daniel Ngale is serving his first mandate as MP, pressure is mounting on the WCPDM section President to declare her intentions to vie for the post. Her supporters are hoping that the current wave to push more women representatives in parliament may work in her favour. She would however have a difficult fight on her hands considering that the incumbent has also made some considerable inroads into the minds of the people.