Politique of Sunday, 5 October 2014

Source: The Post Newspaper

Biya’s ‘son’ grants audiences in Kumba, throws CPDM into disarray

President Biya’s supposed son, Gilbert Georges Baongla’s surprise visit to Kumba on September 27, threw the Meme administration and top militants of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM party, into confusion.

News of the presence of the erstwhile journalist’s presence in town left the Meme administration, security officials and top CPDM barons in a frenzy as nobody could figure out what brought him to town, but security officials remained on alert guarding the hotel premises where the ‘prince’ was lodged.

The forces of law and order were stationed in shifts while secret police officers constantly paraded the hotel premises but secured no information on Baongla’s secret audiences at the hotel. By nightfall, the officers were still lingering around the hotel while the Divisional Officer, DO for Kumba I, Charles Duala Formumbod, hung around the entrance into the hotel premises but could not get closer.

CPDM Militants Scramble For Audience In the wake of the melodrama at the level of the Meme administration, the supposed President‘s son had a busy day, granting audiences to top CPDM militants across Meme Division.

The Post learnt that Baongla granted no less than eight audiences to militants of the CPDM party. Most of the militants who fall in the categories of school administrators, health directors, SWELA executive members and contractors came rushing to make good political use of what seemed like a rare opportunity.

Most of the militants appeared suspicious of each other, as all of them came with the notion of being the lone hero of having come to discuss with the Presidents’ son, but were surprised by their number. In the end, some quickly disappeared from the hotel premises while others buoyantly appeared alongside the ‘prince’ before the press.

The scramble for audiences delayed a press briefing that was billed for 2.30pm to 5.30pm, given the unending number of people who came for audience.

Up to the time of going to press, confusion remains high among top militants and within the ranks of the CPDM party, especially those expecting promotion or appointment.

It is alleged that one of the issues most of the CPDM militants went begging for was to replace the CPDM National Youth President, Mbonda Motia, who recently passed on.

Surprisingly, some of the politicians were shocked to learn during the press briefing that Baongla was the President of a political party, Republican Party and he is hoping to gun for the 2018 Presidential election.

‘Gombo’ That Never Was Some reporters had apparently turned up for the occasion hoping to get some “gombo” or payola from the “guest of honour” and could not believe it when Boangla left without giving them anything, in spite of brandishing a golden suit case that was not opened throughout the meeting.

In the course of the briefing, Baongla stated that his Republican Party is out to see that more youths have access to political power. He urged all Cameroonians to work for a strong and united nation and to drop sentiments of separation, tribalism and corruption, which he remarked, were the causes of the ills plaguing Cameroon, and not Biya.