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By Tata Mbunwe
Chiefs of Bakundu ethnic group in the Southwest Region on March 3, said they have chosen Benjamin Mutanga Itoe, a former Minister of Transport, Justice and Tourism, as their Paramount Chief.
The announcement made by the President of Bakundu Chiefs Conference, HRH Moango Misodi, is expected to settle a long-term dispute as to who was going to mount the Bakundu paramount Chieftaincy throne.
He has already been approved by atleast 21 out of 28 Chiefs who represent Bakundu villages.
“Paramount chieftaincy is not by
media publication, prefectorial order
or an issue for elites. We go by tradition, which is an approval from the noble Chiefs and the traditional cup bearers,” Chief Moango Misodi said.
“Chiefs talk about Chiefs and not
elites. So, since we have settled on
who we want, we can only go back to
our elites to inform them of our choice and not the other way round.
And in this case we have settled for
chief Justice Benjamin Itoe,” he added.
Justice Benjamin Itoe will be enthroned in double capacity: as Chief of Bombe Bakundu, and as Paramount Ruler of the Bakundus.
The 80-year-old is an experienced judge who has served in Bamenda and Buea as attorney general and has also served as adviser to Cameroon’s Supreme Court.
The father of six was also Minister of Transport (in 1984); Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals (1985-89); and pioneer Minister of Tourism and Leisure (1989-92).
He has now added to his accolades the position of Paramount Ruler of the Bakundus, one of the principal ethnic groups in Meme Division of the Southwest.
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