Patrick Ekema Esunge, Mayor of Buea collapsed on May 28, at the Buea Mountain Hotel during a reception offered by the University of Buea in honour of pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Dorothy Limunga Njeuma.

The Journal learnt that Ekema could not get up from his chair when it was his turn to move to the table for food. He was rushed immediately to the emergency unit of the Buea Regional Hospital.

Hours later, he emerged from the unit assisted by two men and a drip on his hand. He was being taken to a private ward. Behind him were the 1st, 2nd and 3rd deputy mayors, Emmanuel Motomby, John Efande and Edward Mosoko. Ekema was dressed in a yellow T-shirt, the ash-coloured pair of trousers he had on when he collapsed and a pair of sleepers.

He was later spotted at the Council premises on Friday, May 30. Sources at the council hinted that he went to Douala same day for a thorough medical examination.

Ekema on the day he suffered the malaise chaired a meeting at the Buea Council. The “Priority Projects Identification Meeting” brought together councillors, traditional authorities, elites, civil society and opinion leaders of the Buea Municipality.

After intense deliberations and brainstorming at the meeting, Ekema could hardly settle down to rest when he was called up to attend another ceremony at the campus of the University of Buea.

The ceremony was the donation of an Atomic Absorption Electro Spectrophotometer to UB, preceded by the dedication of the university’s Amphitheatre 750 to pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Dorothy Njeuma -the “Dorothy Limunga Njeuma Amphitheatre.”

Ekema is said to be also recovering from the stress of welcoming the head of State, President Paul Biya to Buea last February.

Some sources say the Mayor is hypertensive and might not have had enough rest.

He has also been under pressure after it was alleged that he threatened members of a new drivers’ union with a gun and sealed their office. It is unclear if the developments of the matter might have weighed him down.