Eto’o for President of Cameroon

By Innocent Chia

As the World celebrates the sanguineous unwinding of Muammar Ghadaffi’s 42-year old dictatorial regime in Libya, chants of “Biya must go” in Cameroon are increasingly becoming a preface to “Eto’o for President!” Eto’o Fils, world acclaimed 30 year-old goal-scoring soccer wonder-boy from Cameroon just signed a contract with a little known Russian club to make him the highest paid world soccer player at over half a million dollars a week, according to the AP!The Chia Report looks exclusively at why an Eto’o Fils candidacy could be so right, it will practically dwarf the field of pretenders who are lining up to become runners-up to the 29 year-old incumbency of President Biya…

His name recognition - The Eto'o Brand

Biya has to organize concerts like he recently did at his Mvo Meka ranch to pump up support from the world of largely mendicant musicians whose miseries they can trace right back to the door steps of the bankrupt policies of the Biya regime. But Eto’o has, without question, has been at the forefront promoting art and music in the artistically blessed land that is home to Jazz Legends Manu Dibango and Richard Bona; the afro-jazz/blues singer Henri Dikongue; Bikutsi greats such as Les Tetes Brulees, Nkodo Si Tony, k-Tino; unforgettable Makossa players like Black Style, Petit Pays; folklore mesmerizers Ali Baba, Anne Marie Ndzie, Prince Afoakom… Eto’oo has been a financial messiah for some of the musicians who express open appreciation in their lyrics. Indeed, the same Eto’o has gone as far as putting up bail for one of the finest contemporary Makossa musician, Longue Longue on charges from his estranged wife of allegedly raping her niece.

It is not only that the name Eto’o easily conjures the most recognition and positive vibe among Cameroonians at this critical junction. The truth is that his competition is mostly unknown outside close circles of family, friends, some non-card carrying supporters and sympathizers from the Diaspora and social media – Facebook and e-groups. At a recent grand wedding at the Mont-Febe Hotel in Yaounde, it was painfully clear in conversations among the predominantly Northern elite guests that one in a hundred (1/100) guests know the name Kah Walla or that she is running for the position. This can be particularly disheartening for a candidate that takes her candidacy as seriously as Kah Walla.  One can safely bet that Eto’o has as much name recognition as President Biya, and perhaps more.

The Money – It is so beaucoup…

The net worth (take home salary after taxes) of Eto’o before his pending out-of-space contract with Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala stands a hair over $40 million (18 billion CFA Frs). If he successfully completes the medicals, the deal signing will increase his worth by close to $30 million a year with the Russian Club…You go figure for yourself that his big heart may just lead him to sponsor the campaigns of the other Presidential pretenders like he spent $1.3 million on designer watches for each of his teammates on the Cameroon Indomitable Lions national team after they qualified for the 2010 World cup in South Africa.

Eto’o will not need to shuttle across continents like Kah Walla in hopes of raising $10,000; Ayah Paul to raise any bit that is better than what he does not have; Jean Jacques Ekindi a.k.a, le chasseur du Lion… the Lion hunter (supposedly hunting down Biya) whose little personal wealth has withered to ashes since government decided to crack down on his businesses. The only other likely local candidate from the field of pretenders may be Osih Joshua, Vice President and talking head of the SDF. But his net worth - like that of his peers - is unknown and certainly pales in comparison to the $40 million of Eto’o Fils and certainly chop change for Paul Biya’s estimated net worth of $200 – 300 million.

His education and experience

Papa Ahidjo was a primary school leaver and post office worker who had never travelled out of Cameroon prior to his ascension to the Presidency of the Republic of Cameroon. He was green to the ears in several areas, including politics…or so… his opponents pitched. But the country today, in general, agrees that President Ahmadou Ahidjo certainly had a vision for the fatherland where the much more educated Biya has shown little to no vision and leadership. Ahidjo handpicked and handed over power to Paul Biya in 1982 with a positive balance sheet. President Ahidjo had 5-year development plans that were evaluated and re-evaluated as need arose. Biya and his clique have mastered the art of off-the-cuff leadership, and decisions are made at the spur of the moment. It is a reactionary leadership with no sense of discipline or direction. It therefore must not surprise anyone that Biya has most of his closest aides locked up in the country’s maximum security prison or hiding away in faraway lands for any number of reasons, including charges of corruption, mismanagement of state funds and outright ambition to seize power from Biya.

Samuel Eto’o does not have any of the fancy education of President Biya, who became President of Cameroon when Eto’o was just a little over one (1) year old (Eto’o was born March 1981). Kah Walla, Hon. Paul Ayah, J.J Ekinde, Osih Joshua and the rest of the pretenders have probably spent as many years in school as Eto’o has on soccer fields. But there is no denying that while they all attended and graduated from the life of school, Eto’o Fils has been accumulating medals and accolades from the school of life.

As there are many who argue that Biya is a good guy who has surrounded himself with bad guys, there is an argument to be made for the quality of men that Eto’o has surrounded himself with. He has been surrounding himself with men and women that have their eyes set on the goal at all times, making sure that he keeps scoring goals and bringing victories/titles/championships to the clubs that he plays with. Better still, Eto’o has arguably interacted with more men and women of power, authority and influence than the field of Pretenders put together. These networks will be key in an Eto’o presidency as he should be able to open his rolodex and invite vested Cameroonians at home and abroad, as well as international partners, to return and invest in Cameroon. Markets and businesses love stability. But venture capitalists, both foreign and local, who are interested in investing in Cameroon, predict nothing but uncertainty and chaos should Biya win. Eto'o is a businessman in his own right and understands this.

His philanthropic efforts on his dime

Apart from the questionable action of spending over $1.3 million in designer watches for his Indomitable Lions teammates and management, Samuel Eto’o has shown that he walks his talk. Five years ago he created a Charity known as Fundesport, a non-for-profit organization that ambitions to train soccer players and leaders in all spheres of life in Cameroon and the World. Earlier on this year, the skipper added the construction of a Pediatric Hospital in Douala, the economic Capital of Cameroon. Students at the University of Yaoundé have equally benefited from the man’s magnanimity. He has awarded scholarships to help financially distressed students, as well as those who have shown excellent academic promise. His generous spirit and forethought are not limited to the territorial borders of Cameroon.

He was recently in Libreville Gabon with President Ali Bongo, inaugurating the Eto’o Foundation. Like in Cameroon, the Star declared that he will be partnering with other soccer stars - including Didier Drogba of Cote d’Ivoire - to construct soccer facilities that would give kids the same opportunity he was offered by a complete stranger at the age of 14 years. These initiatives speak volumes about his philosophy on leadership and government – creating conditions and opportunities in which citizens can become all they want to be. He is showing it on the field of play and through his networks that he genuinely cares for people everywhere, beginning with his native Cameroon.

His qualification

Critics will point to the law of the land (Article 6, Section 5 of the 1996 Constitution) that lays down the age limit of candidates for President of Cameroon at age 35 and above. But this is a country that changes statutes for no good reason than to please incumbent Biya and the few privileged that orchestrate and sustain his Presidency for egotistical reasons. Look no further than the recent law that eliminated term limits in favor of life terms for the incumbent. It is not only in total disregard for the populace, it is a showmanship of power that defies common reason, current geopolitical developments and outlook. Indeed, the current leadership in Cameroon looked at its children and grandchildren and said: “Screw you”!

Only the people of Cameroon have the power to tell the dictators that “It isn’t so. Power belongs to us”! Biya and his parliament just opened Pandora’s Box by decreeing a new law that allows the Cameroon Diaspora to vote in some select embassies. With elections slated for an unknown date in October and beyond, the people of Cameroon can equally force the legislature and executive to make the same exceptions to the law as they did to the Presidential life term. Cameroonians must have learnt just how powerful they are when they took to the streets in February of 2008 and forced the Biya regime to make modest changes to the prices of some basic food commodities and gas prices. There is plenty of time left for Vox Popoli, Vox Dei – The Voice of the People is the Voice of God – for the people of Cameroon to decide that Eto’o has what it takes to be the President that they deserve. 

Precedence of Sports stars seeking power

Soccer Stars that ventured in this area in Africa have known little, if no success.  Liberian Soccer golden boy, George Weah may have conquered hearts and minds in European stadia and soccer fields across the African continent, yet he was humbled in a second-round run-off loss to the lone female African President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf during the 2005 Presidential elections in Liberia. Critics will hurriedly point to this loss of George Weah and make parallels with an Eto’o run as frivolous and doomed because it is too late in the game for Eto’o to strap his pair of boots. But that is all foolish talk from a place of fear that seeks to protect Eto’o. 

The truth of the matter is that Eto’o has never run away from any challenge. Indeed, he has said in several interviews that he loves taking on new challenges, including his new 3 year contract at $568,000 a week with the Russian club, Anzhi Makhachkala. Yet, the signing indicates one who is not only looking at established and strong clubs in Europe’s prestigious leagues to play in. He is fishing for challenges - and making beaucoup d’argent in the process – including clubs that he will carry to the finish line. Much definitely, the signing of the contact puts a dimmer on the projections for a Presidential run. Whatever his final decision comes down to, there is no denying that an Eto’o presidency will attend to the needs of Cameroonians.

He is one who slept in poverty, dreamt of his future and woke up in pursuit of his dreams to be the best at soccer. He has achieved it and is a role model to millions of Cameroonians who have been reminded on national television by Biya that they are not as good as other nationals. Eto’o will be there when planes crash on the country’s run ways; he will be there if another Lake Nyos incident occurs before Southern Cameroons becomes independent. You can bet that he will not disappear in transit from business trips to China only to reapper a month later without explanation. He will not spend luxury vacations paying $30,000 a night on the taxpayers dime in Europe or anywhere else. Eto'o is the man for the Presidency of Cameroon. It is his to win if he elects to run.

 

Comments

[Bobe Yosimbom]

Nonsense!

[John Dinga]

Do I read a subtle slightly disguised plea for Cameroon's famous player to run for the presidency? If so, should he not be given the chance to indicate his intentions instead of continue with this Paul Biya-ruse of leaning on sycophantic praise singers and cynical authors of motions of support? Don't Cameroonians deserve this bare minimum from those aspiring to lead the nation?

[ntam charles]

This article is probably a failed joke. Chia report at its lowest rating. That this idea had to pass through all the mental filters the author is known to possess without being trapped and disposed of,is baffling.

[ntam charles]

A foretaste of Eto's management skills can be discerned from the state of affairs of the national team since he took over the captain-ship. Conflicts and failures. What about his erratic,volatile and aggressive temperament? Head-booting journalists and threatening them during interviews. That's exactly how he will handle his ministers and opponents.

[limbekid]

My God! Are we this desperate?

[Njie Prutus]

Are we truly desperate? Money, fame and other achievements could be good factors in limiting mismanagement of public funds but the ability to conceive developmental projects, human resource management, conflict resolution are very resourceful qualities.
Like somebody said earlier, if you are not able to handle smaller units, how can you for bigger ones?
I hope we can re-shape our thinking towards building a better Cameroon. We have been in this mess for too long.
It will be more bitter to fall back to it again when once we're done with it.

[Gilbert Mbeng]

True but this writing found at Old Saint Paul's Church of Baltimore usually find clout in instances like this- " :and listen to others,even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit."...

[Neba-Fuh]

EITHER this is an interlude of comic relief in the midst of political uncertainty, OR a temporal effect of anaesthesized thinking. I strongly wish it is the former!

[Clement D. Monie]

This article brings to us a very important point: any popular person can successfully run for president and succeeding in the said position is a function of good intentions and will.It also broadens our imaginations.Personally,to be a successful president of an African country,one must possess a strong personality and originality void of any complex in face of western countries,be popular and selfless and finally must be used to successes.He must be realistic, simple and a genuine patriot. That Etoo is a befitting presidential candidate for Cameroon is Mr. Chia's opinion and wish for which he has stated his rationae for such a dream.He has a right to his opinion.Seeing such an opinion as a joke simply because Etoo has failed as the Lion's captain is idle because it is clearly a Biya's failure and not Etoo's. The national team is ruled by Biya's ministry of sports in collusion with FECAFOOT.The national team is just one of Biya's victims in his 29years reign.Why has Etoo succeeded everywhere but as the Lion's captain in Cameroon.No one individual is indispensable but the people's will is indispensable.

[John Dinga]

With so many industries to choose from, why would a young man be pushed into politics? Is it because politics has become the nation's biggest industry?

[Paulinus C Fultang]

Hello Bobe,
I do not think that your call for Eto to run for the Presidency of Cameroon is with any rational reasoning. The fact that Etoo has a loafty contract do not make him a transformational leader that is needed for the Cameroon of tomorrow. At this times, we need highly educated, servant leaders in Cameroon, not just any uneducated rich footballer. It is time for us to think progress.
Thanks

[Wanaku]

Very entertaining, to say the least.The real situation is that, there already is a President".
The real question is: what is the job description of "president"?
If citizens take time to think about it, they might discover that what the Camerouneses really need is (maybe) not a so-called "president".
By answering the question: what exactly does a president do (or have to do)?
Considering the context and era in which the "state", "nation", "empire" finds itself,
there might be alternative leadership frameworks that could be of more benefit per capita to the people in general.
Some so-called "developed" countries use these alternative methods after due reflection (i.e. use brain muscles). A good example is the Swiss who have a 7-member representative Council as "head of state".
However, if Camerouneses agree to be stuck in time, and cannot move away from the Ahidjo-Biya (all foreigners) communist paradigm, then sure the next so-called "president" could be anyone from anywhere, as long as ... (I think I'll stop
rambling here)

[Vincent Yein]

Apart from the Chia's Report setting minds ticking, who frankly can ursher Cameroon into the new era after the Biya's regime (Kah Walla / Fru Ndi / Jean Jacques / Ndam Njoya / Bouba Belo etc)?

[Wini kuah]

Spot-on! charles. There is no better way to describe the Chia Report. It is definitely a serious joke.

[Njua Ntehji]

This sounds crazy. If the national team that is the Indomitable Lions are more than Eto'o to manage how on earth would he manage the country Cameroon. His riches should not push us to believe and conclude that the richer and popular you are, the better you can lead.

[Vincent Yein]

Eto'o fiery temperament has brought him��� to where he is today. The issue with the national team is with the Song's clan, who reluntantly relinguished the captaincy but did not want Eto'o to succeed. Eto'o speaks his mind and tells you what he thinks or feels, and many are uncomfortable with that. Eto'o as a Cameroon by right, if he wants, can opt to run for the presidency, but I do not think, that is Eto'o dream as of the moment. However, Eto'o like all of us has his own frailties. He is not an angel but his mistakes have be magnified and blown out of proportion by the media to sell papers / make money. We are very good at throwing stones at others, very good at running down a compatriot, as if we are better. To play at that top level for more than 15 yrs and to face the amount of rejection, abuses, both on and off the pitch. To be constantly reminded that your are a "black money", subjected to mental and physical torture yet always emerged victorious
is a positive point for Eto'o. Lets seek to be constructive rather than destructive in our argument.

[Njua Ntehji]

Well, I do not think anyone is subjective in this issue. Everybody has a right of argument. Because Eto'o has made a name in sports does not automatically qualify him as a president of my country, our country. It takes more than a name to be a leader. It is true the problems of the national team were inherited and some have been created by the Songs. As a born leader, did he put away his ego to bring the young ones together? No, instead he wanted to brandish his wealth here and there to consume the ideas of the young.

If Eto'o has difficulty as captain of the national team, its because he fails to understand the politics of that set up. How can he then just understand the system in which Cameroonian politics is run so as to be able to clean it up? We should not be blinded by personal achievements and talents. Playing soccer is his talent but leadership is not, period. What ever we say, Eto'o s leadership can only be measured from his captaincy. We should stop pointing fingers at Song and co. Eto'o has a great influence over the national selection but things are still not going on ok. I am proud of him as a soccer talent and a wealthy young man. But this should not blind us.

[Njung George]

Eto for President? This is simple insanity. But it isn't surprising in a world and forum where anything goes. People are free to think anything though, albeit how insane. Also, in a world that is increasinly becoming global and also paradoxically controversial, people are prone to just imagine anything that would open the floodgates of polemics and arguments. This, I suppose, is the character of our world, today's world.

[Nshing Yong]

To think that Samuel Eto can become president in Cameroon shows the level of despair that we Cameroonians have gotten to.
Are we not about mixing up popularity ,firm and riches with competence?

God save Cameroon!!!!!

[Kirrikou]

Please Don't feed us with this nonsense again

[WANAKU]

Bobe Yein,
Good question. Tentative answer: The Camerounese People themselves.If not, they are going to be ruled by anyone from anywhere.In other words if you cannot take care of yourself, then someone will.
The same applies to Kom: if Kom cannot take care of itself, then gh+latum will.
iBois+
~wv

[ignatius yongabi]

Eto'o for president of Cameroon? That's another failed joke. Chia's report this was uninspiring. Quite unlike him. There're "many" way to get into Eto'o green book and why not partake in the fat catch! There're many pertinent issues that we can address and debate on this forum; like for instance, this is the beginning of another academic year: Do u know how many children will not go school or go back to school bc their parents can't afford to pay their fees? how many more die every second bc of simple malaria?
This country is in need leader who will take this country to the next level? A leader who will offer our children free education, free medical care, ... This Cameroon is blessed with enormous natural resources... yet we've allowed a few to control and enjoy all these riches while the majority wallow in abject poverty and misery. Are some people more Cameroonians than others? How long are we going sit ,watch, do nothing and eventually die for nothing? We can't allow a few individuals to thwart our future and that of our children! This is election year, lets seize this opportunity and repossess what is rightly ours.

About who will lead us ... sb should help me out here!

[DR NICK NGWANYAM, MD]

Dear Mr Innocent Chia,

Thanks for your write up. It is very exciting to read and we also learn some lessons from doing so. We are about 20 million Cameroonians and everyone has a right to seek to be the president.

However, being a president is not a feeling, it is not about likes and dislikes. There are some core issues that makes one a good leader. You could be a good manager but that does not come across as a good leader. Two diferent things.

Giving gifts freely like designer watches to team mates with ego issues does not make one a good leader. Earning a lot of money is not it. Being a philantropist does not tell all the story. Being a president is something VERY
DEEP INDEED. It goes past the eye, the nose, the ears and the sensation of touch.

What you are saying is that we in Cameroon have a presidency for sale. I do not know if the lady in the picture is a journalist or is supposed to be our first lady? I see she has some good breast for sale as well and that gives me goose
skin thinking about the kind of presidency we are talking about.

I imagine that you are choosing a president based on the PERSONALITY ETHIC and not on the CHARACTER ETHIC. I give it to you that you are leading the nation down a very dangerous tract. It is true that we have musicians and sports men as well as actors for presidents and governors here and there. That is not an example to follow. One could still be a musician or what ever, but it has to be backed by the character ethic, principles and not feelings as we see here.

Presidency for SALE? Cameroon for sale? No way!

[Victor Samkoh]

I believed this was a joke. I still do.

[Igwacho Peter,Ph.D]

Does feeling void somebody of the so called character you are talking about?

To God be the Glory