Controversy surrounds Tombel chieftaincy stool over rightful kingmakers

By Olive Ejang*

It is not yet clear who is eligible notable to choose a chief. This was revealed during consultative talks organized by the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO for Kupe Muanenguba, Mungambo Ekema William, on the 14th of December 2022, at Tombel Council hall.

Late Chief Bernard Ebong Salle, who ruled Tombel from 1997, died earlier in 2022.

Addressing the population, the SDO said between 1965 and 2022, so many chiefs died in Tombel. He wondered if it is because the wrong persons are selected as chiefs. He said if this is an error, it must be corrected. Mungambo lamented that the main bone of contention now is to establish a list of kingmakers and notables to choose the right chief for Ngab Tombel.

The SDO told the population that democracy is eroding their cultural values. He said they need a strong leader to ensure that their cultural heritage and traditional artifacts of Ngab Tombel are preserved for posterity. Taking the cue, Chief Ebong Ndode of Mbulle said chieftaincy issues in Ngab Tombel are different from other villages. He said the Nkenmesange clan always selects a chief for Ngab Tombel. Meanwhile, Rev Dr. Epie Ngome narrated that, Chief Moses Mesonge of Mbulle, was installed in 1918, to control Lower Muetan Villages (Mbulle, Nsuke, Mbabe, Ndibenjock and later Tombel) known as Nkenmesange.

Epie said it is these villages that are supposed to choose a chief for Tombel. Meanwhile, Eko Epie Manfred added that Tombel is a mushroom town emanating from the last few years from NGAB quarter of the parent village of Mbulle. According to him, it is only notables from villages under Nkenmesange that can select a chief for Tombel.But this was opposed by Mebune Otto Elung. He argued that the villages under Nkenmesange have their various chiefs. He said each village has to independently select its chief. Otto said.

This report was first published by Olive Ejang* Divisional Delegate for Communication in Kupe Muangenguba