Letter to the Contestants for the Royal Stool of Victoria (Limbe)

By Mola Njoh Litumbe, Bakweri Notable

There has been lately some discussion in the press pertaining to the succession to the vacant royal stool of Victoria, following the death of HRH Chief Ferguson Billa Manga-Wiiliams.  As potential aspirants gird their loins for the contest, they would do well to have the benefit of history, as it relates to  royal succession in the city of Victoria.

(1) After the death of Chief John Manga-Williams in 1959, a chieftaincy dispute arose between the late chief’s second son Prince Ferguson Bille and Mr Ernest Kofele Martin. The record of the proceedings of the Commission headed by an expatriate called J. Beeley, appointed by Government to investigate and advise on the standing of the contestants, is available. The other members of the Commission were Chief Oben of Mamfe, Chief John Buh, Chief Kumbongsi of Mamfe, Chief S.. Ebanja and Chief S.P Dipoko of Missaka, Mungo. Being a chieftaincy dispute of a vacant Bakweri stool, it is strange that no Bakweri was appointed a member of the Commission, to provide input on Bakweri custom in that regard, although some Bakweri notables gave evidence.

(2) In the opening paragraph of the Report of the Commission, the following was established:

“The one thing that seems to emerge clearly from the welter of evidence and historical or allegedly historical facts is that there is no established traditional method whereby the head Chief of Victoria is selected.  This can be shown by a recital of the names of those who, as far as can be ascertained, have been appointed as heads of the community since the arrival of the Alfred Saker Mission in 1858.  They are:

1866 Mr. Horton Johnson (Douala) 
1867 Mr. Samuel Brew (Gold Coast)
Appointed President of Victoria Court Council by Baptist Mission
and
circa 1880 Mr. Joseph Wilson (Sierra Leone)
1903 Mr. P. Mokeba (Bakweri)
1904 Mr D. Carr (Bakweri)
1908 Mr J. Manga-Williams (Bakweri)
Appointed Presidents of "Mixed Court" by the Germans.

From the above it will be seen that the first two were appointed by the Baptist Mission and the remainder by the Germans.  The first three were “strangers” whilst the last three were natives of the Bakweri tribe.  In no case was there any kind of hereditary relationship between a person appointed and his predecessor….”

(3) The foregoing lays to rest any exclusive claims to the stool of Victoria by the  neighbouring towns or villages such as Wovea or the once famous city state of Bimbia which have, because of the evolution of Victoria (Limbe) to its predominant position, been relegated to a less important status, although it is clear that the Bakweri of Victoria were immigrants from other villages in the vicinity.  It was their offspring born in Victoria, who later became chiefs. 

The tradition, beginning from Mokeba in 1903 has been that in the selection of a chief for Victoria,  the choice is not limited to any particular family, but the person selected must  be a Bakweri, born in Victoria ,  and  acceptable to the kingmakers and Bakweri notables of the city, among whom are the Mokeba, Carr, Manga-Williams,  Martin, Burnley, Monjimbo, Ikome, Fonderson, Ekema, Haddison, Nganda, Malafa,etc.   

The Beeley Commission, in a rather cancerous move, attempted to lay down a formula for the future selection of chiefs in Victoria, but this was misplaced exercise as it was not in its terms of reference.  Strangely, having come to the  conclusion (unsupported by its own finding quoted above) that the   Victoria chief had to be chosen by a majority decision of the Mokeba, Carr and Manga Williams families,  blatantly ignored the evidence of the heads of the Mokeba and Manga Williams families who stoutly supported the candidature of E.K. Martin, while Ferguson Bille Manga-Williams was supported only by the head of the Carr family. 

The minority report by Commissioner Chief S.P.Dipoko of Missake is, with respect, sound and illuminating.  By an inexplicable conclusion, inspite of setting out the basis of its finding, the Commission recommended that the Chieftaincy be awarded to Ferguson Bille Manga Williams, whose demise now provides an opportunity to set aright the Bakweri succession tradition in the city of Victoria.

(4) One other point needs examining.  By a letter dated 9th April, 1938 from the Resident Cameroons Province to the Secretary, Southern Provinces of Nigeria, Lagos, the Resident sought His Honour’s authorization to make John Manga Williams head of the coastal village headmen.  Part of the letter reads thus:

“At several meetings which I have held the headmen have expressed a wish to have a Head Chief with a Council appointed, but unfortunately there is no one with hereditary rights, or with any rights whom we could appoint.  The man Manga Williams whom I mentioned in my first letter is not Chief of Victoria Town, and has no rights; but as there is no one with any rights, I selected him as being educated and owning property.  Since my first Memorandum to His Excellency on the subject, opposition to the appointment of Williams has arisen in a village called Bonjongo; but if His Honour will approve of the appointment of a Head Chief with a Council (say on six months’ probation) I will either persuade the Bonjongo people to consent to Williams’ appointment on probation or find another man – the one outstanding fact is that it is absolutely necessary there should be a Head Chief for the District.”

(5) It would appear  the Resident’s request was granted, and that is how John Manga Williams was elevated to the status of Head (Paramount) Chief of the Coastal area in 1938. .  If his successors are likely to assume the same status, it makes good sense for the chiefs of the concerned coastal villages to be consulted in the selection.

Humbly and respectfully submitted by: Mola  Njoh Litumbe, Bakweri notable
1st December, 2005.

Comments

[Etule francis]

It,s a pity to see that Pa, chief Etule of wovea is not mentioned as a king maker dispite the fact that he is one of the oldest bakweri men living.But when it cames to the canoe race, his village will be recognised. Do you think things like this means anything to him? I believe he deseved some respect.
franck USA

[Dr Kale Ewusi-RSA]

Ingenius Mola. I am interested in information regarding the selection of the paramount chief of the bakweris.Is it possible to venture into that?

[WILFRED A.]

I am impressed on the quality of news which i always from your web site i am based in Johannesburg - South Africa South Africa. You people should not leave any stone unturned. You must dig to the roots of every information before you publish it, so as for the Gorv'nt of GRAET AMBITIONS should not lay any charges on you guys. We need more stories on the Homosexual issue, 500 ghost salary names at MINFI, the ministers who stole monies abroad.

Concerning ELECAM,if all the opposition parties can boycott the upcoming elections, without ELECAM in place ,them it will be very good, and it will portrait the maturity and solidarity of the opposition in Cameroon,whilst,Biya will think twice.

See you guys later.
More grease on your elbows