Where Were They on Ambazonian Independence Day? A Leadership Void Exposed

Chris Anu, Marianta, Cho Ayaba, Ebenezer Akwanga, Tapang Ivo, and Capo Daniel — names that once dominated conversations within the movement — were conspicuously absent from both the public celebrations and the strategic events that defined this historic commemoration.

By The Independentist Editorial Desk

As Ambazonians across the homeland and the diaspora celebrated Independence Day on October 1 with renewed energy and strategic clarity, one question echoed across community circles: Where were the figures who once claimed to lead the movement?

Chris Anu, Marianta, Cho Ayaba, Ebenezer Akwanga, Tapang Ivo, and Capo Daniel — names that once dominated conversations within the movement — were conspicuously absent from both the public celebrations and the strategic events that defined this historic commemoration.

A Celebration Without Them

While the population mobilized across Ambazonia, hoisting flags, organizing community events, and reaffirming their commitment to the cause, these once-prominent figures remained silent and withdrawn. No major speeches. No coordinated mobilization. No visible presence at the celebrations or in the broader political direction shaping this period.

Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., the Government of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia (in exile) held a three-day Constituent Assembly, bringing together key stakeholders to adopt resolutions, launch new diplomatic structures, and chart an updated roadmap for governance and negotiations. The struggle moved forward — with or without those who once claimed to be at its center.

Their absence reflects a deep decline in political influence, fueled by strategic errors, public controversies, and internal divisions that have steadily eroded their credibility both within the movement and among the diaspora.

Tapang Ivo, once a very active social media figure, faced widespread condemnation after making online statements that appeared to endorse the kidnapping of diaspora Ambazonians returning home for family ceremonies as a means of raising funds. The backlash that followed politically isolated him and undermined his moral legitimacy.

Capo Daniel, also known as Ngong Emmanuel Ngong, a former prominent ADF militant and online figure, has recently publicly broken with his former leadership. After acknowledging the ADF’s involvement in kidnapping operations, he accused his former leader, Cho Ayaba, of giving such orders while allegedly operating from Canada. These internal disputes, aired in public, have reinforced the perception of a fractured current and damaged their collective credibility.

Opportunism and Miscalculation Strengthened the Ambazonian Nationalists Led by Dr. Samuel Ikome Sako

For years, LRC’s French-trained strategists adopted a predatory, divide-and-weaken approach toward the Ambazonian liberation movement. Instead of confronting the movement’s legal arguments or popular legitimacy, they sought to recruit individuals driven by personal ambition, financial gain, or the lure of quick influence. By exploiting human vulnerabilities rather than addressing the political substance, they believed they could fracture the revolution from within.

This strategy backfired spectacularly. A cluster of once-prominent actors — Chris Anu, Emmanuel Tita, Kizito Elad, Dorothy Ngwa, Irene Ngwa, Amos Tumenta, Elvis Kometa, Marianta, and Dr. Abongwa — were politically neutralized in a single sweep, losing credibility, relevance, and the trust of the Ambazonian people.

Many of these figures, once loud and self-assured, are now relegated to the margins of history — their influence dissipated, their platforms diminished, their political capital exhausted. In seeking short-term advantage, they underestimated the resilience of the Ambazonian people and the institutional backbone of the movement. Ironically, their defections and decline only strengthened the legitimacy and strategic cohesion of the Ambazonian nationalists led by Dr. Samuel Ikome Sako, who today appear more disciplined, structured, and durable in the face of both external pressures and internal betrayals.

A New Phase, New Demands

The movement has clearly entered a new strategic phase, characterized by diplomacy, institutional consolidation, and structured governance. The celebrations of October 1 were a striking demonstration of this: popular mobilization and institutional action took center stage, while the once-noisy personalities were nowhere to be found.

The Ambazonian people now demand accountability, coherence, and discipline. The era when mere media visibility could substitute for leadership is over. Those who remain trapped in factional squabbles or controversial tactics find themselves increasingly out of step with the real momentum of the struggle.

A Mirror for Leadership

The absence of these figures on Ambazonia’s most symbolic day serves as a mirror held up to the movement. In a liberation struggle, leadership is not static: it must be earned, renewed, and aligned with the aspirations of the people.

The Ambazonian cause has now moved beyond the era of personalities. It rests on institutions, diplomacy, and collective action. Those who refuse or fail to adapt to this reality are no longer shaping the movement — they are watching it move on without them.

The Independentist Editorial Desk