By Tata Mbunwe
The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC), Rt Rev Fonki Samuel Forba, is facing calls for resignation from some prominent members of the Church.
In a three-page memo dating October 2, 2024, some 15 “bona fide Presbyterians from all walks of life” asked the Moderator to resign within 72 hours, and called for a new committee to be set up to oversee November’s election.
Signatories to the memo include renowned lawyer, Barrister Ntumfor Nico Halle; veteran journalist, Victor Epie Ngome; Prince Ndoki Mukete; Senator Matute Daniel; Dr. Ntonifor Helen, among others.
The ruling body of the PCC, the Synod, will elect a new Moderator and a Synod Clerk this November to replace Rt Rev Fonki Samuel Forba, and Rev Miki Hans Abia, respectively.
But the elections are threatening to tear Cameroon’s largest indigenous church apart, as the Moderator faces accusations of attempting to handpick a successor.
In their memo entitled, “Call for overhaul of PCC electoral process,” the authors accused the Moderator of violating the Church’s constitution by interfering in the elections.
To the Moderator, they wrote: “That you should be encouraged to save what is left of the image of the Church by resigning
for the sake of peace, before the anger you have provoked reaches flashpoint
“That a Crisis Committee of upright Christians should be appointed with terms of reference to run the Church until a new management is elected in the months to come…”
The authors also want the resignation of members of the electorate as well as election contestants they consider as loyalists to Rt Rev Fonki Samuel.
At least three candidates are contesting for the position of Moderator, among them the Synod Clerk, Rev Miki Hans Abia; Rev Njongai Polycarp and Rev Numfor Godwin.
However, there is disagreement among Presbyterians on the choice of these candidates, with allegations of a vote rigging plot already thriving.
The petitioners wrote: “That all the candidates on your infamous list, as well as all Presbyterial Secretaries who lent themselves to your fraudulent design to rig the next election, will join you by resigning from their offices while they still can.”
They added: “That the Synod Committee and Board of Trustees who did not raise a finger in the face of all
the foregoing abuses have betrayed the Church’s confidence and should be replaced”.
“Mr. Moderator, we would appreciate your response to this letter within 72 hours, failing which we reserve the right to choose the next line of action,” the letter concluded.
The former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, Rev Festus Asana, earlier addressed a lengthy memo to Rev Fonki Samuel, accusing him of violating the PCC’s constitution and imposing candidates on the electorate.
