Mbuh Alice Ayong has been elected as new mayor of Belo Council in Boyo Division, North West Region. She was chosen to replace the late Ngong Innocent, who was tragically killed on May 20, 2024, while participating in Cameroon’s National Day activities.
Mbuh Alice was elected on Friday, August 30, 2024, during a council session in Belo. She secured 25 votes, defeating her sole challenger, Ndiwum Gilbert, who received 13 votes. Additionally, Councilor Achooh Lot was elected as the 4th Deputy Mayor.
Before her election, Mbuh Alice served as the First Deputy Mayor under the leadership of the late Mayor Ngong Innocent.
The election session had initially convened on August 5 but ended in a deadlock when representatives of the ruling CPDM party’s Central Committee presented Ndiwum Gilbert as the party’s endorsed candidate. However, councilors expressed their dissatisfaction with the party’s choice by passing a vote of no confidence, prompting the Senior Divisional Officer for Boyo to suspend the elections.
Supporters of Ndiwum Gilbert, who was ultimately defeated in a democratic election, have accused Linda Yang, the wife of former Prime Minister Philemon Yang, of using her influence to sway the process.
