Thomas Tobbo Eyoum and the battle for the political control of the city of Douala

Thomas Tobbo Eyoum had read the history of late MKO Abiola of Nigeria and knew that, the late Muslim Yoruba Business Mongol, did launch his political ambitions, not by being a successful businessman, but as an excellent supporter and promoter of sports, and in chief, football. Thomas Tobbo Eyoum was the one who was first suspicious with the takeover of Leopard Football Club of Deido, Douala by John Epee Mandengue and he chimed the alarm bell. But the Royal Highness of Deido, Chief Gustave Essaka Ekwalla, who was enthralled by John Epee Mandengue, came to the rescue of his protégé. He convinced other elites of the city, who were members of the ruling party to support Mandengue and ignore the alarm raised by Mr Eyoum. Although Mr Eyoum became suspicious and jealous of Mr Mandengue’s political, social and business successes, they both had similar traits as already mentioned. What did Thomas Tobbo Eyoum have in common with John Epee Mandengue? Like John Epee Mandengue, Thomas Tobbo Eyoum was also in the insurance business and owned an insurance company called Province Reunie. But the difference that existed between Thomas and John was in the running or management of their respective companies: Province Reunie and Broking Services International.

Thomas Tobbo Eyoum wanted or made it a point of duty that, all holders of management positions within his company, must be card holding members of the ruling CPDM party, whereas the John Epee Mandengue, never cared whether those holding management positions in his company (Broking Services International) belonged either to the ruling party or the opposition, especially the SDF. The only condition needed to hold management position at Broking Services International was to be English-speaking and preferably, a native of Anglophone Cameroon proper, or any other English-speaking country in the world. I must repeat and insist that, John Epee Mandengue’s directors were not only from the Anglophone region of Cameroon, there were also nationals from other English-speaking African countries. For John Epee Mandengue had the firm conviction, it was that, only people from the English-speaking world were competent in management positions, within his company or elsewhere. The success of Leopard Football Club of Douala, made the smouldering conflict that was brewing between John Epee Mandengue and Thomas Tobbo Eyoum to breakout into a full blown conflict. Their conflict was synonymous in every inch to that of the biblical Soul and David clash. Why did the rivalry of John and Thomas take an unimaginable dimension? The reason is not difficult to fathom.

Thomas Tobbo Eyoum was the interlocutor of the central government in Douala and he feared that, the growing popularity of John Epee Mandengue after the success of Leopard Football Club and his cousin Peter Mafany Musonge as prime minister, might force the central government in Yaoundé, to start using John Epee Mandengue as a substitute interlocutor. Hence Thomas decided to kill John politically, before what he feared becomes a reality. But he had to carryout his political war against John with utmost care, for his cousin Peter Mafany Musonge was still prime minister. His Royal Highest Chief Gustave Essaka Ekwalla sensing that, two prestigious natives of his chiefdom were squaring for a battle that, they will end up mutually killing each other, politically, economically and even physically, decided to intervene. He invited Thomas and John to his palace for mediation, they came but his mediation produced no effect. For the battle line was drawn and swords were out in full bloom. John had two victories his business was succeeding and his football was also successful and he could also count on his cousin Peter Mafany Musonge who was still prime minister. But Thomas had an advantage over John. He had connections within the ruling that John’s cousin who was prime minister did not have because; he was not real CPDM militant.