By Wambo Emmanuel in Bamenda
Tension is still mounting in North West region between the elite of the region and their Fons after they met under their umbrella organization, the North West Fons Union NOWEFU, and called on President Paul Biya to take another mandate come the 2018 presidential polls.
The Fons who hitherto commanded huge respect from their subject when exercising their traditional roles as custodians of tradition have increasingly come under deep scrutiny for venturing into politics. Some have branded the fons as royal beggars in the corridors of Etoudi. According to some, the fons have abandoned their functions and responsibilities in their palaces and are chasing crumbs in Yaounde.
Amongst the many voices that cried foul against what he termed ‘deviant practices’ of their Fons is Pa Kum Nzeite Elias, a renowned activist and traditionalist from Wum in Menchum division but resident in Bamenda. Pa Kum Nzeite Elias’ bone of contention is with the presidency of the Fons’ union headed by senator Fon Teche Njei who has exceeded his mandate and has not called for an elective general assembly. He challenged the Fons to take time to address the current Anglophone crisis rather than draft a motion for the head of state to seek another mandate.