In a "letter of observation" dated May 3, 2019, the Senior Civil Administrator conveyed to Chief Mafany Njie his "total disapproval of this malicious, odious and intriguing attitude as well as firmly caution you against such misconduct." It was sent to the recipient through the President of the Buea Chiefs Conference.

The DO's epistle follows a letter signed by Chief Mafany Njie in his capacity as SWECC president in which he condemned the South West Governor Okalia Bilai Bernard's "ordering" of Chiefs to march on May 20 along with their subjects under pain of losing their royal crowns.

In a communique signed Tuesday April 30, 2019, Chief Mafany Njie Martin on behalf of his peers said the governor did not have to remind them of their civic responsibilities.

"We, the South West Chiefs categorically condemn the demeaning and threatening manner by which the Governor of the South West Region reminded us of our usual civic duties, which we have always performed so diligently without be ordered to do so by whosoever," the statement in response to Governor Okalia read.

The regional chief executive had on Thursday April 25, 2019, as he chaired a preparatory meeting ahead of the 47th edition of Cameroon's National Day nationwide celebrations billed for May 20, said chiefs who fail to march with their subjects will be sanctioned severely 30 days after the national unity feast.

"During the 20th May this year,  all the Chiefs will march with a placard indicating their village and with their population behind them," Okalia said,  adding that, "If that is not the case, it means those chiefs don't exist. And if you don't exist as a body, as a village, then you should neither be called a village nor be counted among villages."

"I said this some two,  three years ago but the Chiefs refused to do it because they were still volunteer Chiefs. But today,  know that the volunteerism is finish. Tradition is there, but you are tied to the state with an obligation. Eh Chief?  You know noh? I don't want to disclose it here. But we understand each other," Okalia said with a feigned smile.

In a firm tone,  he handed down a subtle threat: "If you fail to do what I am instructing, you'll see 30 days after, the consequences of that disobedience."

Okalia turned to the Mayor of Buea, Ekema Patrick Esunge to know the number of villages within his municipality and the mayor's response put smiles on his face. He then instructed the Mayor to prepare placards bearing the names of all the villages in Buea - which placards will be carried by the Chiefs as they lead their kits and kins during the National Day parade.

"So Lord Mayor,  prepare the placards because soon they will say they don't have money. Prepare it.  How many villages do we have in Buea? Ah! a hundred, put them on placards. Every Chief will march. And those who are in exile in Douala or Yaounde,  Let them stay there. When they come back, they'll find someone else as chief," Okalia decreed.

The chiefs say their native laws and customs do not allow them as natural rulers to march past the grandstand during official ceremonies, according to the Chief Mafany Njie signed statement.

"We completely dissociate ourselves from such a representation and remind the public that the traditions and customs of the South West people are full of values of respect, tolerance,  nobility and unity. We therefore call on our population to remain calm and positive as we look forward to accompanying the State in all national events like we have always done," the chiefs said through their president.

But in a rare outing,  the Divisional Officer for Buea set the records straight.

What the DO "observed":

"It has been brought to my attention that in a declaration dated 30th April 2019 addressed to the general public and currently circulating in the social media, you took upon yourself on behalf of traditional rulers of the South West region to denounce, in calumnious language to the person of H.E. the Governor of the South West region the appeal he made on the 30th April 2019 during the first preparatory meeting for the 20th May 2019 at which you were conspicuously absent, an appeal made to traditional rulers and community leaders of Buea Subdivision for the mobilisation and massive participation of their population in the celebration of the National Day in Buea.

"Further thereto, I have the honour to observe that by embarking in this exercise of the deliberate distortion and manipulation of the words of the Governor, your statements which are characterised by untruths and gratuitous assertions could not be only demobilise to the population that you are expected to be catering for but to also severely undermine the relentless efforts deployed by  public authorities to ensure the success of this event in Buea - the cradle of our National Unity. In this light, your statements constitute a sort of caution for the actions of enemy forces that have made the disruption of the celebration of this solemn event on of their main objective.

"At a time when I expect to see you actively engaged in the company of your peers within Buea Subdivision in action geared at ensuring a commendable representation of your respective communities through various socio-cultural associations and traditional dance groups,  I regret to realise that you are rather actively trying to dubiously involve the entire body which you now chair of South West traditional rulers who were never mentioned at any point whatsoever of this working session.

"I deem it necessary to remind you that in your capacity as auxiliary of the administration, such agitation is punishable both at the administrative, disciplinary and penal levels especially in this period of security challenges.

"Consequently, this letter of observation is intended to convey to you my total disapproval of this malicious, odious and intriguing attitude as well as firmly caution you against such misconduct."