The newly designated Chief of Bokwaongo village in Buea, Albert Njie Mbonde, has pledged to address the longstanding issues of water shortages and land grabbing, which have plagued the village for years.
Njie Mbonde, political editor of state broadcaster CRTV, was chosen by kingmakers on March 19 during consultative talks.
They were led by the Divisional Officer (DO) for Buea, Abba Abdourahman.
His selection marked the end of a leadership vacuum following the passing of HRM Chief Elkana Molua Messe in November 2023.
His demise led to a succession dispute, with seven candidates emerging from Bokwaongo’s three main families. One family that presented five candidates later settled on one, reducing the number of contenders to three: Albert Njie Mbonde, Buea Urban MP Hon. Malomba Esembe, and Bokwaongo elite Prof. Julius Ikome Monangai.
During the consultative talks on March 19, the DO emphasised that the administration would not interfere in the selection process, leaving the decision entirely to the kingmakers.
After their deliberations, the kingmakers presented Albert Njie Mbonde as their choice for Chief.
His selection was met with celebration among Bokwaongo natives, who sang in the Mokpe language as they paraded with the newly designated Chief around the village.
New Chief Spells Out Action Plan
Thanking the kingmakers for his selection, Njie Mbonde acknowledged the challenges ahead of him and called for unity among the villagers.
“The time for contention is over… We may be different families, like you saw, but we are one people,” he said.
Concerning his priorities, he pledged to address water scarcity, land grabbing and electricity cuts in the village.
Bokwaongo, like other urban areas in Buea Subdivision, has suffered a protracted water crisis that has pushed its inhabitants to turn to boreholes.
But only the rich can afford boreholes, and many continue to suffer a water crisis.
He stressed the need for firm decision-making and honesty in governance.
“We need to help the young people. Most of them are educated but do not have what to do. Being a traditional ruler is not only talking about land. We shall be firm on the management of land in our village. Questions will be asked about what was done before now. May I let you know that even issues of water will be looked into,” he assured.
Lingering Concerns
Despite Njie Mbonde’s selection, concerns remain concerning a potential breach of the village’s traditional constitution.
A senior quarter head pointed out that Bokwaongo follows a patrilineal system of succession. However, two of the three final candidates, including Njie Mbonde, have only maternal links to the village.
Mola Ivakise, Chairman of the Bokwaongo Traditional Council, said: “The candidate Njie Mbonde who is selected today, I might say, has no family linked to this village. His grandfather’s parents were from the Bojongo Court Area—both his mother and the father.”
“But the great-great-grandmother of Albert Njie Mbonde hailed from Bokwoango. So if we want to say he has a lineage, it is maternal. So the criteria has not been fully followed. This village has a constitution. It has been put aside,” he added.
Despite these concerns, he hoped for good leadership under Njie Mbonde.
“But I see no reasons for petitions going up and down. Since he was born here, the father was born here, and he has been integrated as a member of this village. What we need is a clean leadership. If he can rule well, I think we can go on.”
