Buea: Zacheus Elango Bakoma, the incumbent President of the South West Regional Assembly, has been re-elected for a second term following the assembly's bureau elections held at the Buea Council premises. The December 16 elections confirmed Bakoma's leadership, while Chief Kombe Ndike Richard of Mondoni, Tiko, emerged as the new President of the House of Chiefs and Vice President of the Assembly, succeeding Chief Atem Ebako Bisong Andrew. Notably, four of the eight inaugural executive members from 2020 retained their positions.
According to Cameroon News Agency, the executive members were chosen through a list system, with a 97.7% participation rate among voters. Out of 89 participants, including one proxy, 87 votes were cast, with two ballots deemed null. The election process was overseen by the senior member of the house, Hon. Ntuba nee Beatrice Mbone Epie, and supervised by Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai. The event also saw attendance from Minister Mbayu Felix of the CPDM Central Committee and Minister Balungeli Confiance Ebune, Director of Cabinet at the Prime Minister's Office.
Governor Bilai, addressing the newly elected members, urged them to set aside differences and focus on the welfare of the region, emphasizing their representation of the entire region beyond individual divisions. Mbayu Felix, representing the CPDM Central Community-the sole party whose ticket was used by all seventy councillors-commended the councillors for their mature conduct during the elections. He praised the honesty and determination of the new executives and acknowledged the graceful exit of the former House of Chiefs President, Chief Atem Ebako Andrew.
President Bakoma, upon his re-election, outlined the construction of a Regional Assembly Complex as a priority for his second five-year term. He reflected on his first term as a period of discovery, given the pioneering nature of the office. William Elangwe Itoe, the incumbent Commissioner for Health, expressed readiness for continued service, aiming for collaborative achievements. New executive member Hon. Same Mesape Samuel, the Commissioner for Economic Development, pledged to diligently address the people's needs.
The newly elected bureau members of the South West Regional Assembly are: President Zacheus Bakoma Elango, Vice President and President of the House of Chiefs Chief Kombe Ndike Richard (new), Commissioner for Economic Development Same Samuel Mesape (new), Commissioner in charge of Health and Social Development William Elangwe Itoe, Commissioner in charge of Education, Sports and Cultural Development Walters Tarkang Atuk, Secretary House of Divisional Representatives Effoe Limunga Rebecca, Secretary House of Chiefs HRM Ojang Eno Cyprian (new), and Questor Ntemngwa Fomenky Nicodemus (new).