Senator Nfor Tabetando Ndiep-Nso SW loses political baobab, business mogul, influential king.

The Senate Vice President and Paramount King of Bachuo-Ntai in Manyu Division, joined his ancestors in the early hours of Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the age of 76. 

The respected monarch, who has been on the Bachou-Ntai throne for 49 years and in his third mandate at the Senate, died at the Yaounde University Teaching Hospital, after a protracted illness, according to family sources. 

The former President of the South West Chiefs Conference, SWECC, is said to have been receiving treatment at the health facility. The Statesman and lawmaker was last seen in public, visibly looking frail, early this month. 

This was during the March session at the Senate, where he was re-elected into the bureau of the legislative body as one of the Vice Presidents. He was also spotted during the Congress of Parliament, which held at the National Assembly. 

The health situation of the Manyu political torchbearer and one of the leaders of the CPDM in the South West Region, had been unstable since the last quarter of 2025.

As acting campaign head of the CPDM in the South West Region during the last presidential election, Nfor Tabetando is reported to have left the campaign trail midway due to health issues. 

This was after successfully laying the groundwork for the re-election of the CPDM National President and party candidate for the presidential poll; both at the regional level and his native Manyu Division. 

Since news of his demise broke, eulogies have been pouring. Many have visited his Emana residence in Yaounde, to extend condolences to his spouse, Margaret Tabetando, and children. 

One of his children told reporters that the Statesman had been sick since November 2025. She disclosed that the monarch had been to the hospital and back both in and out of the country many times. 

The Secretary General of the Senate, Gustave Leopold, and many members of the Upper House of Parliament, were among the first to visit the residence of the deceased.

Senator Enwe Francis described the late Nfor Tabetando as someone who touched the lives of many.

On his part, Senator Fon Lekunze Andreas Nembo said the deceased was “such a lively and kind personality who took care of all of us like his junior brothers and sisters”. 

Nfor Tabetando was pillar of unity – Mamfe mayor

In a condolence message sent out on behalf municipal councillors and population, to the Bachuo-Ntai royal family, Traditional Council and community, the Mayor of Mamfe, Robertson Tabenchong Ashu, said the demise of the referred Manyu elite is a great loss and end of an era. 

“The departure of His Royal Majesty marks the end of an era, an era defined by visionary leadership, unwavering dedication to his people, and an enduring commitment to both traditional and national service,” Mayor Tabenchong said. 

He said as a traditional ruler, the late Nfor Tabetando “stood as a pillar of unity and cultural preservation”. The municipal authority said the Nfor Tabetando as a statesman, “served the nation with distinction, wisdom, and integrity”. 

“His contributions to community development, youth empowerment, and institutional growth will forever remain a shining legacy. Through his foresight, many lives were transformed, and the foundations for sustainable progress were laid within Bachuo-Ntai and beyond,” Mayor Tabenchong said.  

The municipal authority urged the population to, in this moment of grief, take solace in the remarkable “life of service, honour, and purpose” that the deceased statesman lived.

“His voice may be silent, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come,” Mayor Tabenchong stated. 

He called on all sons and daughters of the land to “unite in solidarity, uphold the value he cherished, and support the royal family during this difficult time”.  

The grassroots politician concluded by praying the Almighty God to grant eternal rest to the deceased and for his memory remain a blessing to all. 

Astute political figure

The late Senator Nfor Tabetando will be remembered as one of Cameron’s shrewdest politicians. He had a political life that spanned decades. Untill his demise yesterday, the King of Bachuo-Ntai was one of the most influential Cameroonians in the ruling class.

He was a respected grassroots politician who cared so much for the wellbeing of his people. He carried their aspirations with him as a lawmaker and pushed for laws that are for the common good. 

He was a key supporter of President Biya’s CPDM and rose through the ranks, garnering support for the system to become a Member of the Central Committee. 

As he joined his ancestors yesterday, the custodian of tradition had attained a rare feat in the CDPM. 

As a politician, Tabetando remained consistent in calling the shots within his native South West Region and Manyu Division in particular. 

Following his demise, observers have said, and rightly so, that Nfor Tabetando left a relevant legacy in the political scene nationally. 

The Batchuo-Ntai King was among the few Cameroonians who remained loyal to the political vision of President Paul Biya since 1982. 

How he transformed Manyu to CPDM bastion

Nfor Tabetando is on record as the man who came to the rescue of Manyu politically and the CPDM party, when the opposition made in routes in the Division at the 1992 parliamentary election.

In that election, which the opposition Social Democratic Front, SDF, boycotted, the National Union for Democracy and Progress, NUDP, of Bello Bouba Maigari, won all the parliamentary seats in Manyu. 

However, it took a visionary, robust and alert Nfor Tabetando, to rewrite the new political story of the administrative unit. 

When the time came again to consult the people of Manyu in the 1997 parliamentary poll, the labour and political investment of Nfor Tabetando, in favour of President Biya and the CPDM resulted in a sweeping and historic win for the ruling party.

In his inclusive nature, Nfor Tabetando approached and convinced his sister, Hon Rose Abunaw Makia, who was in the NUDP then to join the new political vision that was on course in Manyu.

Hon Abunaw listened to the royal counsel of Nfor Tabetando and decamped to the CPDM with thousands of her supporters in Manyu Division. 

Given her popularity in the Division, she was eventually re-elected into parliament in 2002 on the ticket of the CPDM.

Thousands of others across Manyu responded to the Nfor Tabetando-charm offensive and dumped the NUDP and the SDF for the ruling party. 

Thanks to Senator Tabetando, Manyu has remained a CPDM bastion till date.

Almost all local political leaders in Manyu had confessed to their loyalty to State institutions and the CPDM party, being the fruits of inspiration from Nfor Tabetando’s shining example.   

Role in promoting return to peace in NW, SW

The late Senate Vice President remained steady in playing a neutral, pragmatic, levelheaded and down-to-earth role in enhancing the return to peace in Manyu Division in particular and the rest of the restive North West and South West Regions.

The peace builder put his reputation, integrity and royal aura on the line in quest to get many youths out of the bushes across the two English-speaking Regions. Senator Nfor Tabetando, according to many, is by all standards a patriot. 

He championed efforts which went a long way to contribute to life gradually returning to normalcy in Manyu Division in particular and the South West Region in general. 

The soft-spoken King held dialogue with many in the community and beyond, to calm down flaring tempers. He made many to understand that violence is not the solution to the crisis in the North West and South West Regions.

Influential, respected traditional ruler 

Many traditional rulers with links with the ruling CPDM party, have since the start of the Anglophone crisis been at loggerheads with their subjects, based on their decisions and stance on certain issues that concern the two English-speaking Regions. 

However, Nfor Tabetando, until his demise, was among the few traditional rulers, who, despite being a member of the CPDM, still maintained the aura and sacred status of a monarch. 

The late Nfor Tabetando continued to wield influence and earn the respect his people throughout his being on the throne for almost five decades. 

Philanthropist, builder of God’s house 

He was a philanthropist in his own class. In his native Manyu Division and beyond, Nfor Tabetando was on record to have built churches, houses and came to the aid of the needy.

He also played a vital role in the construction of a Catholic Church in Bachuo-Ntai, many classrooms and a dormitory for the John Henry Newman Junior Seminary in Bachuo-Ntai to groom priests.

He also erected the residence of the Rector and Registrar of the John Henry Newman Junior Seminary, put his house at the disposal of the Catholic Church in Mamfe, and contributed hugely for the construction of the Mamfe Cathedral, among others.

The devoted Christian was singled out by the Holy Father, Pope Francis, of blessed memory, and honoured for the outstanding work to support the growth of the Catholic Church in Mamfe Diocese in the South West Region in particular, and the country as a whole. 

The late Senator Tabetando was publicly conferred the papal blessings by the Pope’s special envoy, the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, His Excellency José Avelino Bettencourt.

In the North West Region, the Senate Vice President played a key role in the takeoff of the University of Bamenda. He also offered money for the construction of a Community Library in Taku village in Nkambe, Donga-Mantung Division.

As member of several cultural and religious groupings, the late Senate Vice President, those who know him say, over the years put the teachings of Jesus Christ at the centre of all his engagements.

Manyu development champion 

With gradual takeoff of activities and return to normalcy in the restive English-speaking Regions, the late Nfor Tabetando engaged in making real President Biya’s appeal for collective efforts to keep communities safe and peaceful.

Before his demise, he hugely contributed to community development in line with the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction and Development of the North West and South West Regions, PPRD-NW/SW.

He had since 2022, rolled out and was championing a project to rebuild and revive communities across the four council areas of Manyu Division, through the promotion of socio-economic, cultural and educational schemes. 

He repeatedly bankrolled sporting activities to promote return of peace, support to Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, of the Anglophone crisis, offered scholarships to pupils and students, donated health equipment to health centres in Manyu, generators to councils, supported women and youth sociocultural groups. 

The man Senator Nfor Tabetando

Born on October 29, 1950, in Bachou-Ntai, Nfor Tabetando was a respected Statesman who touched the lives of compatriots from across the board; through his inspiring political and professional career; both nationally and internationally. 

He had a towering legal career that spanned over 50 years. Nfor Tabetando, as a lawyer, was the Founder of Equity Chambers in Douala, since 1975. 

The Bachuo-Ntai King, former President of the South West Chiefs' Conference, was also one-time Vice President of the Cameroon National Forum of Traditional Rulers.

The member of the CPDM Central Committee and former CPDM Senate Group Leader, touched the lives of thousands, both as a monarch, lawyer and politician. The business mogul was also the Founder and Executive Chairman of EurOil Limited.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3768 of Wednesday April 22, 2026