Ekong William Sakwe, Mayor of Mbonge and CPDM Meme III Section President has died.

The mayor cum traditional ruler of Big Nganjo and Vice President of the South West Chiefs’ Conference died at the Buea Regional Hospital on Friday January 15. Family members said the deceased was suffering from nerves problems and headache.

Following the mayor’s demise, the population of Meme division, especially that of Mbonge, was thrown into a state of mourning as many regretted the loss of an award-winning development agent who had risen to the helm of one of Cameroon’s largest councils.

The mortal remains of the municipal authority have been conveyed to Kumba District Hospital Mortuary.

Ekong was last seen in public during a council session in December 2015. During that meeting, he had admitted feeling better than when he was at home.

Ekong has been the chief of Big Nganjo since 1998. Being a Grade I teacher, he served the nation in different capacities throughout his career and later enrolled into the University of Buea where he obtained a degree in education.

In the later part of 2015, the traditional ruler is reported to have had hard times managing his chiefdom. His detractors are reported to have gone to work to make the village ungovernable for the mayor. He once served as president of the Meme Chiefs’ Conference.

The burial programme of the deceased mayor is still being awaited.