Nfon V.E. Mukete has been overwhelmingly elected as the new President of the South West Chiefs’ Conference (SWECC) following a two-day Election General Assembly of the Conference was held at the Kumba City Council Hall, May 30 and 31.

Nfon Mukete replaces Fon Fontem Njifua who passed on last April 2. He will use his two-year-mandate to repair the fractions within SWECC that came to the fore after the fiftieth anniversary of Cameroon’s reunification last February.

He is also to ensure that the construction of a befitting SWECC Secretariat sees the light of day and that unity is fostered among the chiefs.

Though there were varied opinions about what to do with money given to the chiefs by President Biya during his anniversary visit to Buea, it was agreed that the money be used to start work on the SWECC Secretariat in Buea.

The Paramount Ruler of the Bafaws and current President of the Meme Chiefs Conference will be assisted at the helm of SWECC by Chief William Ekong Sakwe of Big Nganjo as Vice President.

Johnson Njombe Njoke of Wokaka village and Rev. Dr Ekoka Molindo are the new Social Secretaries of SWECC. Chief Fritz Gerald Nasako of the Lobe Chiefdom was maintained as Secretary General unchallenged since Chief Atem Ebako stepped down at the eleventh hour.

Nasako will be assisted by Chief Robinson Tanyi of Tinto Mbu Village in Upper Bayang.

The Financial secretary, Chief Mbi Orock of Okoyong will get assistance from Chief Fotoh from Lebialem. Chief Ediage Francis becomes SWECC’s Public Relations Officer with HRH Chief Nfon Eseme Elisis of Kokobuma as vice.

The chiefs at the end of the meeting renewed their support for President Biya and the institutions he incarnates. They underlined the need for construction work to start on the Kumba -Mamfe Road and the Loum-Kumba-Mundemba-Bakassi-Akwa road. They equally used the forum to thank the Head of State for the creation of HTTTC in Kumba.

The outgoing Vice President of SWECC, HRH Fon Jerry Nkemtaji of Bechati Fondom, sounded satisfied with the success of the General Assembly. “The chiefs have resolved to agree never to disagree, wear the same thinking cap and put the development of the region at the center of all negotiations with the state,” Nkemtaji said. He described the new SWECC President as a square peg in a square hole.

Fon Fontem Asabatong of Lebang fondom received thunderous applauds from his peers when he made his entrance into the meeting venue.