The North West fons Union, NOWEFU, previously
seen as a trustworthy lobbying force is now beset with hypocrisy and infighting
among traditional rulers who should be upholding grass field values.
NOWEFU’s random distribution of
traditional titles accompanied by attestations of recognition worries many a
North Westerner.
The fons have gone as far as endorsing political
ambitions, like they did with senatorial hopeful Dr. Nick Ngwanyam on whom they
conferred the ‘Mbangfon’ title on November 24, 2012.
It is reported that their endorsement of
Dr.Ngwanyam’s senatorial bid and public declaration that they are all solidly
behind him are tearing the union apart.
By honouring him with the title of “Mbangfon”
for his exploits in empowering youths and at the same time endorsing his senatorial
bid, these fons have flung open the floodgates for critics to question whether
NOWEFU has morphed into a political party.
Another school of thought holds that Dr.
Ngwanyam quest for the fons’ backing may have been motivated by the desire to further
consolidate his political program.
However, political analysts hold that the
approval might have been the wrong one because lately, grass field fons have
been tagged “royal beggars.”
Other labels have branded some of them as “royal
gangsters,” further casting doubts on how much power they actually wield.
As one of the fons who prefers to remain
anonymous put it: “I don’t understand the reason for scrambling after titles or
why our fons have decided to be dishing out titles that do not have any significance
to benefactors in their own homeland.”
“Why hurry, why? It doesn’t look elegant. The
process used by those in a hurry to get titles does not look good; it does not
look polished and it does not look civilized. I see it as a sort of business,” the
traditional ruler adds.
It is an embarrassment that in less than a year
NOWEFU has dished out four titles to people, Fon Teche Njei of Ngemuwah,
current NOWEFU president is over doing this,
Fon Teche and the sale of
traditional titles in the NW
Within a period of 8 months,
the North West Fons Union, NOWEFU under the reign of Fon Teche Njei has dished
out four traditional titles.
The first was to Achidi Achu
Judith, wife of former Prime Minister, Simon Achidi Achu and current North West
Regional Director of CAMTEL. She was ‘crowned’ as ‘mafor’. The coronation of
Achidi Achu Judith raised a lot of controversy as many agued that Ama Tutu Muna
had been occupying the post. However, NewsWatch learnt Ama Tutu Muna was crowned
‘mafor’ by Metta (Momo) fons. Thus she was a divisional ‘mafor’, making Achidi
Achu Judith the first woman to occupy that post at NOWEFU.
Those mentioned above could
be pardonable, a school of thought holds. the same school of thought feels that
‘crowning’ two ‘foreigners’, Emmanuel
Fuh Neba (Director of Cameroon Council for Reunification-CAMCORE) who is based
in the UK and Jeffrey Townsend (UK Parliamentary Researcher), Fon Teche
shouldn’t be exonerated. The duo were ‘crowned’ as NOWEFU Ambassadors for Peace
to the Diaspora. Fon Teche’e colleagues have since been asking why and how
‘foreigners’ should be given such titles.
And last in 8months is Dr
Nick Ngwanyam, now Dr Mbangfon Nick Ngwanyam who was coroneted last November 24
by the same union. His coronation which we learnt we learnt, was intended to
consolidate his senatorial bid, has gashed the North West Fons’ Union, we are
informed.
“It is not strange that they
are dishing out titles, they have reduced NOWEFU to royal beggars and that is
their source of income” an observer noted.
Following the split, there
are rumours circulating around town that a group of fons are already thinking
of creating a new association. The big fons (Bali, Mankon, Bafut, Banso and
Kom) NewsWatch is informed, are becoming weary of smaller fons bossing over
them and dragging their reputation into mud and would like some constitutional
changes.
By Ndi Eugene Ndi
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