SDF NEC Meeting:

FruNdi disowns runaway Wirba Joseph

- Says the MP for Jakiri who has escaped the country and sought refuge in Britain, put up a good show at the rostrum of the National Assembly. But unfortunately, Wirba acted on his on accord and in violation of party discipline that emphasizes team work

By Nche Jude Mbah in Yaounde

Hon. Wirba Joseph

The stance of frontline, opposition party, SDF, vis-à-vis, one of its MPs, hon. Wirba Joseph, who recently stunned parliament and the entire nation with his “we will resist” speech, is now known. Meeting in Yaounde Saturday for an enlarged National Executive Council, NEC, meeting, leaders of the SDF distanced the party from the solo activities of the MP, who is now on the run.

                Addressing the press after the NEC meeting, SDF chairman remarked that Wirba put up an impressive showing at the National Assembly, but unfortunately he was acting on his own behalf and not on behalf of the SDF that took him to parliament.

                “When Wirba staged his show in parliament I called and congratulated him because he spoke so well. Unfortunately he failed to know when to act for party and when to act for oneself. Wirba is knowledgeable enough to draw a line between party and himself,’ noted FruNdi, arguing that Wirba’s continues use of “I” and not “we” was proof that he was acting for himself.

                FruNdi noted that the SDF is a party governed by laws that must be respected by everyone. “Anybody who violates or undermines the internal rules of the party only does so at his own peril,” Chairman FruNdi said.

                “When Wirba later wrote to me complaining that he was not supported by the party, i reminded him that the party does not support actions that do not toe party lines,” FruNdi corroborated.

                The SDF group leader in parliament, Hon. Joseph Banadzem, queued up with FruNdi, when he said that he too refused to guarantee protection for Hon. Wirba, when the latter wrote to him complaining that an arrest warrant had been issued for him.

                It should be recalled that after Wirba stunned the nation with his embarrassing but compelling “we will resist” speech in parliament, he did not end there. The MP later went ahead to organize a popular rally at the central square in Kumbo, during which he preached his resistance rhetoric apart from calling for the restoration of the statehood of former Southern Cameroon’s. This could not be condoned by the state, it was understood.

                What is worse, Wirba organized his Kumbo rally in defiance of a ban by the Kumbo DO. He promised to organize similar rallies in Bamenda, Kumba and other major towns of the SW and NW. But he escapes just when many were expecting him to confirm his effrontery by coming back to parliament for the March session.

                Reports say Wirba has sought political sanctuary in London. Commentators say his escape smacks of cowardice, especially for somebody who had boasted to be a descendant of the warriors of Nso.

                But the SDF conclave was not about Wirba alone. NEC members also examined the ongoing situation in NW and SW. they called for general amnesty to all those arrested and for government to pursue genuine dialogue.

                The issue of Joshua Osih’s candidature for presidential elections was also evoked. NEC noted that SDF candidates for public offices are not decided by the press but by the party’s convention or investiture committee.