Buea gets paramount ruler at last

Robert Esuka Endeley, nephew to the late paramount ruler of Buea, has been presented to the administration of Fako and the general public by the rural family as the successor to the late S.M.L  Endeley who joined his ancestors some two years ago.

The young and energetic Esuka Endeley was yesterday “okay” by the Senior Divisional Officer for Fako, Engamba Emmanuel Ledoux despite timid discontentment by some whose candidates failed to amass support.

His designation and approval by the authorities, this reporter gathered will put to rest the diatribes, backbiting, image smearing and “mid-night” meetings that have characterised the search for the successor of the late Paramount ruler for months now.

Esuka Endeley, designated paramount ruler of Buea

We gathered that all eyes are now fixed on the authorities as they are expected to forward the name of the designated ruler to the Prime Minister and head of government, Philemon Yang.

For Robert to officially be installed as the next paramount ruler, a Prime Ministerial decree to that effect will have to be signed and a day for his enthronement made public.

The first class chief designation, it should be said took many nasty turns as some political elites in Fako attempted to manipulate the choice of who should be the paramount ruler.

Before now, there equally exist warring factions as the Council of traditional rulers were in splinters over the legitimate heir to the throne. While a faction of the Chiefs threw their support for Robert Esuka Endeley, hailing him as their Paramount ruler, another faction rallied behind Prince Charles Efungani Endeley, describing him as the preferred choice.

Robert Esuka Endeley, we should note, is the son of Dr. Emmanuel Mbella Lifafa Endeley. Reports hold that when Chief Gervacius Endeley died, Dr. Emmanuel Mbella Lifafa Endeley was chosen to succeed him. But the former Prime Minister of former British Southern Cameroons was not psychologically prepared to take the mantle of leadership. As such, he declined from his royal responsibilities, suggesting that the throne should be handed over to his younger brother, Justice SML Endeley.

After SML Endeley quitted the scene, the children of EML Endeley took it upon themselves to revert the throne to their family. And with the recent designation of the new paramount chief, many have expressed the desires that peace will reign in the rural family.