CALL FOR OVERHAUL OF PCC ELECTORAL PROCESS

October2,2024

TheRt.Rev.Samuel Fonki Moderator,

PCC, Buea Sir,

CALL FOR OVERHAUL OF PCC ELECTORAL PROCESS

We, a group of bona fide Presbyterians from all walks of life, having served the PCC for many years, some in key positions including membership of the Synod Exco, Board of Trustees, Elders in various congregations, etc.,

• Having observed your attempt to compromise the conduct of the coming election to the two top positions in the Church, namely by actively intimidating Church officers under your authority to vote exclusively for candidates on your list of favorites;
• Whereas the Constitution of the Church enjoins your office to refrain from interfering once the candidates have been vetted and found eligible by the Electoral Commission;
• Recalling that, five years ago you shifted the goalposts by panel-beating the Church Constitution to deprive your main rival, the Rev. Babila Fochang, of his eligibility for the post of Moderator;
• Having read the cautionary letter written to you by the Very Rev. Festus Asana, your predecessor and erstwhile benefactor, in which he reproaches you for being reckless, arrogant, unaccountable, opaque, and worldly in your management of the Church;
• Having noted the arrogant, abusive, and carnally violent response your office gave to what should have been considered a piece of advice from your trainer and a father in the faith;
• Whereas the content of his letter is very much in consonance with opinions expressed by Presbyterians in the huge and growing avalanche of social media posts triggered by the exposure of your attempt to skew the coming election;
• Noting that even Moderator Asana’s late predecessor, the very rev. Nyansako Ni Nku, had given up on you because, in his words, you were a young man who “listens only to the voice of your greed for power and money” – an assessment echoed by many who know you, including a contemporary of yours in faraway South Sudan;
• Noting the groans of the many pastors whom you have victimised through punitive deployments, just for daring to express an opinion different from yours;
• And, finally, mindful that by your lack of any basic knowledge in good governance, you have split the clergy into two camps-those who get all the quirks for doing your bidding without question, and the rest whom you mercilessly kick about like children’s balloons for disobeying or questioning you;

HEREBY EARNESTLY CONTEND

1. Thatyourmanyabusesofthehighofficeyouoccupyhaveintimidatedandalienatedmanyof your fellow Church workers, making them fear you rather than God.
2. That, by making many pastors toe your line of unpastoral and even unchristian conduct, you have caused many Christians to lose faith in, and respect for, all pastors, including still have integrity and a palpable call to ministry.
3. That, as a result of the foregoing, you have brought the Church to the point where the laity, who are its funders, now have to reconsider their relation with the pastors who are their
4. That these miscarriages have gone on for too long and must best opped forthwith, beginning with getting your hands completely off the electoral process, because the Church cannot afford even a shadow of your chaotic and plundering management after you leave.
5. That you should be encouraged to save what is left of the image of the Church by resigning for the sake of peace, before the anger you have provoked reaches flashpoint.
6. That a Crisis Committee of upright Christians should be appointed with terms of reference to run the Church until a new management is elected in the months to come.
7. That such a committee shall oversee the designation of a new Electoral Commission to replace the toadies whom you handpicked and who remain comfortable under your thumb.
8. That all the candidates on your infamous list, as well as all Presbyterial Secretaries who lent themselves to your fraudulent design to rig the next election, will join you by resigning from their offices while they still can.
9. That the audit you just weaponized against two of your perceived adversaries in the persons of Revs. Jones Ebot and Thomas Mokoko, should be promptly carried by an independent, external auditor (possibly Mission 21) in the whole Church, beginning with your office.
10. That the Synod Committee and Board of Trustees who did not raise a finger in the face of all the foregoing abuses have betrayed the Church’s confidence and should be replaced.

The present letter focuses on saving the upcoming election. We are holding back further recommendations while investigating and documenting a wide range of other alleged abuses and criminal acts and counting on the collaboration of Presbyterians of good faith.

Mr.Moderator, we would appreciate your response to this letter within 72 hours, failing which we reserve the right to choose the next line of action.

Thanks in advance for your kind consideration of these concerns and for your prompt action.