Demonstration of People Power:

SDF Holds Successful Convention Despite Threats

- Joshua Osih Emerges as 2018 Presidential Candidate, As Fru Ndi Maintains Chairmanship

-Prof. Titus Edzoa, CPDM, Foreign diplomats make impressive Presence

By Njodzefe Nestor in Bamenda

L-R:SDF Nat. Chairman, John Fru Ndi, Presidential candidate Joshua Osih, SG Tsomelu and Special Guest Titus Edzoa

Honorable Joshua Osih Nambangui, 49, has been Elected SDF Flag bearer for the 2018 Presidential Election in Cameroon.

            He was elected in Bamenda during the SDF convention that lasted 3 days at the Bamenda Congress hall that saw over 1800 delegates from the ten regions of Cameroon attending. The delegates braved threats from separatists groups who planned to destabilize the convention.

Joshua Osih won 1021 delegate count as oppose to Hon. Fobi Nchinda with 134. Hon. Mbah Ndam who was one of the contenders decided to step down leaving Hon. Osih and Hon. Fobi to contest.

            Ni John Fru Ndi who stood unopposed was again unanimously acclaimed as the Chairman of the party While Joshua Osih was voted as 1st Vice National Chairman, Paul Tchathuouang as 2nd and Ngo Mahop Scholastique as 3rd.

            As regards Communication, Nkemlemo Denis Chafac was elected National Communication Secretary and will be assisted by Senator Haman Paul, Ngameni Joseph, Henry Kejang of Canal 2 and Grace Ngwafor of Abakwa FM in Bamenda.

            Party Chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi, in his policy speech during the opening highlighted some SDF tremendous achievements and regretted the socio-political tension which he said has brought about hate speech, destruction, slow economic activities and brutality in some areas in the Anglophone regions.

            He recognized the frustration of some Cameroonians who now threaten everything including the SDF Convention. Fru Ndi frowned at the personalization of grievances by some. The SDF chieftain boasted that his party remains the voice of reason and an assurance for change needed by Cameroonians. He announced that he will not be part of the competition for a presidential candidate.

            Fru Ndi who has been the party’s candidate in three successive presidential elections said he was leaving the stage for the younger politicians.

            “I will not present my candidature for the Presidential election, I want you to choose who is best to be your flag bearer,” Fru Ndi told delegates.

            The convention at the Bamenda Congress hall featured guests amongst whom were North West Governor, Adolphe Lele Lafrique, Representatives of the US and French Embassies, representative of German Social Democratic Party, Country Representative of Freiderich Hubert Foundation, CPDM Delegation led by deputy scribe, Joseph Owona and former Minister and Secretary General at the Presidency Titus Edzoa.

Prof. Titus Edzoa’s Intriguing Presence

            Titus Edzoa who was present at the convention as a “special friend” according to Ni John Fru Ndi did not make any official pronouncement as per his interest. He spent close to two decades in jail for corruption charges and was only freed in 2014. He was arrested and jailed in 1997 for corruption, after declaring his intentions to run for the Presidential election that year.

            When he left jail in 2014, he still pledged his support for the CPDM by publicly brandishing his membership card while making peace with the regime that sent him behind bars. His presence at the SDF convention was his first public appearance for a long time

             

27 Years of Existence, No Befitting Secretariat

            The SDF Convention which was initially previewed and had documentation showing the venue for the multipurpose hall of the St Joseph Metropolitan Cathedral Big Mankon, was moved to the Presbyterian Church Ntamulung Hall for reasons of size.

            But Presbyterian Church authorities later withdrew their initial authorization after separatists allegedly threatened not only to disrupt the SDF Convention, but also to set the PCC premises ablaze, if the Church authorities should allow the Convention to hold there.

            Frightened by the threats, the PCC authorities held an emergency meeting on February 20 and withdrew their authorization.

            It was therefore after this impasse that the party decided to take the convention to the Bamenda Congress Hall, fief of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM).

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Can Osih Replay Fru Ndi’s 1992 Feat? 

            “Mr Chairman you have given a lesson of democracy to Cameroonians today. You have held my hand for the past 20 years to make me what I am today. Mr Chairman I wish that you continue holding my hand even when we will be in Etoudi in October 2018”. These were the words of Joshua Osih as he addressed convention participants after his election.

            Osih carries a huge task of matching up with Fru Ndi’s fencelessness but a responsibility to correct his mentor’s weaknesses who for 27 years failed to dethrone president Paul Biya of the CPDM who has ruled the country for over 35 years,

            Osih comes in with fresh impetus, determined to do what no other politician has done in the country’s post-independence history, to beat a sitting head of state in elections the 50 year old Member of parliament and business magnet whom many say enjoys a broad base support from youths across the political divide of the country is expected to rally all to unseat Biya and to bring lasting solutions to the Anglophone crisis which is threatening to divide the unity Cameroon has been enjoying.

Triumph of Democracy but Missed Opportunity for Bamenda

            The SDF convention in Bamenda was a triumph to Cameroon’s Democracy in General and that of the SDF in particular. The party emerged from the convention stronger than ever before to face the upcoming senatorial, municipal/parliamentary and presidential elections. The party also proved to the “separatists” who wanted to disrupt the convention that power truly belongs to the people.

            However, it was a missed opportunity for the populations of Bamenda, especially business owners and petit traders who could not benefit from the opportunity granted them by the huge presence of visitors in town. The populations of Bamenda religiously observed the three-day ghost town that was declared by the separatists. Because of this women and even children who would have taken the advantage to prepare food and sell at the convention venue missed the opportunity. Participants from the ten regions brought money which they wanted to spend but took it back as most business places were locked. 

            Also because of the threats, many persons who would have loved to travel to Bamenda for tourism and to witness the convention proceedings changed their minds. This was a missed opportunity for hotel owners.