The foundation of the Special Status shakes. as leaders fail to work together. The President of the North West Regional Assembly, Fru Angwafor III, is under fire for centralising devolved powers. He is accused of sidelining executive council members, snubbing traditional rulers, and unequitably distributing projects in the region.
The allegations gained prominence recently when the House of Chiefs initiated a boycott of regional deliberative body matters.
MMI learnt that the upper chamber of the Regional Assembly recently stayed away from the adoption of the regional budget. They also boycotted the end-of-year cultural jamboree and the head of state’s end-of-year speech at the governor’s residence, among others.
Fon Yakum Kevin Shomitang, in a declaration, accused the President of the Region Assembly of undermining traditional rulers. He also accused him of desecrating tradition and arrogating all powers to himself contrary to the provisions laid down by decentralisation law. Fon Shomitang doubles as President of the House of Chiefs and Vice President of the Regional Executive Council.
House of Chiefs Snubbed.
According to Fon Shomitang, their dignity as traditional rulers is under threat since their inaugural as members of the Regional Assembly four years ago.
“It is saddening that we have been bundled here for ridicule and our status as traditional rulers threatened,” said Fon Shomitang in a declaration before members of the House of Chiefs.
Decentralisation law Violated, Fons sidelined.
For the past four years, Fon Shomitang revealed that the decentralisation law has been violated with the Regional Assembly President. He also leads the regional executive council, disregarding their rights.
“I crave your indulgence to present to you how our institution has been functioning four years into our term of office ,” he stated
He stated that the decentralisation law in Section 352 designates the executive council as the executive organ of our region.
“This provision of the special status is neglected as only the president is the executive, like in other regions,” he said. “The House of Chiefs is one of two houses of the Regional Assembly. As provided by Section 345 of the law, we are supposed to receive regional deliberations and give our opinion.”
“Unfortunately, we have never received a regional deliberation and have never had the opportunity to give our opinion before the adoption of deliberations,” he said
The Regional Assembly at the close of December 2024 adopted a budget of over 5 billion FCFA for the North West region
Traditional rulers who reportedly boycotted its adoption state they were not involved in its preparation and execution either.
“I regret to inform you that I was not associated with the preparation process of this budget and not also associated with its execution,” he said
Fons Boycott, regional cultural jamboree
On December 31, 2024, traditional rulers boycotted an end-of-year cultural jamboree organised by the Regional Assembly.
The population largely boycotted it.
Fon Yakum Kevin stated that inviting them to such an event indicates how far traditional rulers are neglected.
“I see dignitaries being decorated with traditional attributes by subjects—what a slap to our face.,” he noted.
The House of Chiefs treats traditional rulers as ordinary members of society during its sessions.
“I am not able to know who prepares the food we eat as traditional rulers during sessions—where and the conditions under which it is prepared,” he said.
“Food preparation and preservation are sacred to a traditional ruler of the North West. These practices desecrate the traditional heritage of the region, and it is regrettable that we can do nothing about it.”
Assembly President Accused of Discrimination.
The president of the House of Chiefs has expressed frustrations that other members share. They point out that some areas receive projects repeatedly, while others have not benefitted from the Regional Assembly.
Fon Azehfor of Nkwen, further expressed discontent with the allocation of projects to localities in the region.
“Every year they are building classrooms and donating equipment to the same schools and communities. I don’t know if we came here for some particular people.”
