The death of Jean Claude Adjessa Melingui has plunged the council into deep sorrow.

Barely a week to the launch of campaigns for September 30, 2013 local council and legislative elections, candidates of the Yaounde VI Council area are upset, though they affirm that the battle must continue. The passing away of the list leader for council elections who doubles as outgoing Mayor for the Yaounde VI, Jean Claude Adjessa Melingui on Saturday 7, September 2013 in Yaounde, has come to add to the battle to retain the council.

“It is total desolation and I don’t know where to start,” lamented the First Deputy Mayor of Yaounde VI, Philomène Avodo. In tears, she joined the Third Deputy Mayor, Mbida Zambo, to say how saddened the entire staff of the council was. He added that the fallen Mayor taught them how to work in synergy and no disorder was expected after his death. Mrs Avodo said yesterday September 9, that they could only offer minimum services to users especially in the Civil Status Department where offices remained opened. “All offices are sealed; reason why you see staff mourning their boss everywhere,” Mrs Avodo said. The atmosphere was indeed grief-stricken with some staff gathered in the ceremonial hall while others paraded corridors, all in tears.

Mrs Avodo in her capacity as First Deputy and second on the election list now has the heavy duty of continuing from where the deceased ended for the upkeep of the council and also for the party to continue to live in Yaounde VI, Mfoundi Division of the Centre Region.

Meanwhile, the battle continues and aides of the departed Adjessa Melingui have vowed to let his dreams live on. “He worked hard for the CPDM and died with the flame burning in him and we are determined to carry on with our campaign strategies,” the First Deputy Mayor said. She explained that they were at the level of finalising plans. Roland Fue Pangmashi, CPDM candidate in Yaounde VI for legislative polls cried, saying they least expected such a happening. The challenge is now enormous and Fue Pangmashi says they must work towards winning.

Many staff described Adjessa Melingui as a man of the people. They say he loved to see youths active and could be described as the captain of the ship.

At 50, he leaves behind a council area that has been working towards emergence with multiple projects in the pipeline. Prominent among them is the construction of a town hall. Vendors at Acacia Market will remember him for recently communing with them during the inaugural of the newly-constructed market. He started real politicking in 1985 and became First Assistant Mayor in 2002 before being elected Mayor in 2006. Melingui was re-elected Mayor after the 2007 legislative and council elections.