UNDP meeting in Limbe splits administration.

The atmosphere was contrary to an authorisation which the Divisional Officer, DO, of Limbe I Subdivision, Moni Innocent Nanje, dated September 2, had signed approving the meeting.

The mixed team of gendarmes and police officers reached the Limbe Women’s Empowerment Centre Hall where the meeting took place. 

They sent a few persons spotted inside the hall outside and stopped others who had begun pouring to the venue.

Why and how Moni Innoncent ordered the security deployment to the venue at dawn yesterday split hairs, leaving the UNDP hierarchy perplexed. He is said to have ordered the official managing the centre to lock the hall.

UNDP leader and candidate for the Sunday October 12 presidential election, Bello Bouba, was meanwhile in Buea, monitoring developments as back and forth movements with administrative and security officers lingered.

The instructions of the DO were in full gear with supporters of Bello Bouba flooding the event venue but kept at bay by the officers on duty. After hours of confusion, the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, Fako Division, Engelbert Viang Mekala, left his office for the event venue.

At the scene, the SDO got a few explanations and later ordered for the meeting to be allowed to hold.  He ordered for the doors of the hall which the UNDP, officials said had long paid for after security authorisation for the meeting to be opened.

DO inspects hall, Bello Bouba arrives 

After the intervention of the SDO, it was the DO at the centre of the contention who entered the hall and ensured chairs and other details relating to the meeting are put in place. It was at this juncture that calm returned. 

Hundreds of supporters of Bello Bouba remobilized after the administrative split and security dispositions found common ground for the event to progress as planned.

With the administrative permission in place, Bello Bouba who was following up developments from where he was lodged in Buea quickly left for Limbe. He arrived the city to and electric reception a few minutes after 5 P.M.

Before living Buea for Limbe, the UNDP leader confirmed to reporters that the administrative misunderstanding had been brought under control by the SDO. 

“I have been told the authorisation that was given had been withdrawn but, in the end, the SDO intervened and authorised the meeting to be held,” Bello Bouba remarked before boarding his car for Limbe.

‘Why I visited Limbe’

Quizzed on his mission to the South West Region, Bello Bouba said: “As you know, we are on campaigns for the Presidential election but in the next six months, we will have four elections; the Presidential, the regional elections and the legislative and municipal elections. So, I have come to meet my comrades and also the general public to enlightened them about the programme of our party and my personal programme as a candidate”.

Meantime, Bello Bouba is expected in Bamenda, North West Region on Saturday 6 and Bafoussam West Region on Sunday, September 7.

Limbe drama not first

A fortnight ago, the delegation of Bello Bouba, encountered similar hurdles with the local administration in Meiganga, Mbere Division of the Adamawa Region. 

Then, he was returning from a meeting with thousands of supporters in Ngaoundere the Regional capital.

The Divisional Officer, DO, of Meiganga on that occasion is said to have attempted to halt a brief stopover which Bello Bouba had previewed to have with supporters who had lined up to greet him. 

The crowd went wild, almost threatening to overturn the DO’s car before serenity returned to the area. It had even been reported that, Bello Bouba travelled to Ngaoundere from Yaounde by road after authorities allegedly frustrated a flight he had booked. 

Thousands had been mobilised to receive him the next day in Ngaoundere, leaving Bello Bouba with no option than to travel by road.    

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3555 of Friday September 05, 2025