Limbe Chieftaincy Tussle: Prince Jesco Seeks MINATD Endorsement

By Innocent Timbong from the Eden Newspaper. view original post here

Monday, 14 January 2008 11:19

The smoldering Limbe chieftaincy crisis has resurfaced, sparking renewed wrangling amongst pretenders to the vacant throne. The latest tensions come following a letter addressed to MINATD by Prince Jesco Manga Williams, the elder brother to the deceased chief. Jesco claims he has been chosen by his family as the successor with the backing of the Fako Coastal Chiefs Association. Prior to Prince Jesco’s unilateral lifting of the crown, the Secretary to the Coastal Chiefs Association, Chief Samuel Ekum of Dikolo village, had issued an ultimatum early December, to the effect that the Mange Williams family produce a chief for Limbe latest 31 December 2007. Prince Jesco’s onslaught received objections within and out of his family. Samuel Manga Williams, eldest son of the late chief described Jesco’s declaration as a bluff. Samuel challenged Jesco’s claims, making reference to his age, and emphasising his position as eldest son of the late Chief Ferguson Manga Williams. He said the chieftaincy in Limbe was not a Manga William’s monopoly. He quoted the 1960 Billing’s report which recognised three ruling houses in Limbe, they are the Manga William’s family, the Carr and the Mokeba families. Meanwhile, following the demise of the chief of Limbe, several candidates noticeable emerged as front-runners. It is reported that Chief Ferguson Manga Williams willed his throne to Henry Njalla Quan, son to his late sister. Upon publication of the will, a copy deposited with the Fako SDO, Prince Jesco Manga Williams, uncle to Njalla Quan, challenged the will in court. However, members of the royal traditional council pointed out that the deceased chief had no veto powers over the choice of his successor. Prince Samuel Ewudo Manga Williams is also laying claim to the throne, basing his argument on the premise that he is the eldest son of the late chief. David Nanja Carr has also stalked his claim for the throne, calling on the Manga Williams family to support his candidature, as his uncle late Hon Lifio Carr stepped aside and backed the Manga Williams in 1960. David Nanja claims he has the support of Princess Mokeba, whose eligible males are said to be overseas. Other names mentioned include, Prince Johnny Manga Williams and Makaka Williams, sons of Prince Jesco aged 86. Outside claims have also come from the chief of Bomboko and Botaland. Most of the claims have been judged inappropriate by traditionalists. According to some, succession in Bakweri land is paternal and not matrilineal. Thus the chief must be a male offspring of the concerned chiefs. However, opponents to this view say Victoria aka Limbe, cannot be considered within the aforementioned parameters because Limbe is a settlement. They point out that even strangers had been chiefs in Limbe before the delimitation by the 1960 Billings Report. Other aspects militating against the plethora of mentioned candidates, traditionalist hold, is the fact that many cannot speak Bakweri and are ignorant of the sacred cults of the land. The administration has played a neutral role so far. The Fako SDO, Bernard Okalia Bilai has thrown the ball to the natives to select their chief and present to the administration, for forwarding to Yaounde. The ultimatum by Chief Ekum to the Manga Williams family has also come under sharp indictment by the contestants. According to them the coastal chiefs lack the competence to meddle in the selection of first class chiefs. view original post here