Senatorial elections in NW:

CPDM Sure of Victory, SDF & UDP Strategizing

By Njodzefe Nestor

UDP’s President, El Hadj Lawan Bako during his campaign launch

Campaigns to woe councilors in the 34 councils in the North West region have reached a decisive phase with party officials and list leaders of the parties that invested candidates for the upcoming senatorial elections in the region crisscrossing the various divisions with “lofty promises”.

            Despite the “sins” of the outgoing CPDM Senators, the party is confident that they will still win again. The SDF has however promised that they will crush the CPDM given that they have had a “horrible report card” from their last mandate. They UDP even though without a single councilor in the region is challenging councilors to shun the so called party discipline and vote for the UDP.

            The list leader of CPDM Regina Mundi, during the launch of campaigns in the North West region by Prime Minister Philemon Yang said they are into the race to take care of the interests of youths and women in relation to certain laws that protect them in the society.

            The seasoned pedagogue and astute politician dismissed as rumours what had hitherto been making rounds in the region alleging that CPDM councilors within Mezam are demanding FCA 1 million each before they go to the polls.

            Asked to evaluate the mandate of the outgoing senators, Regina Mundi was outright that it was not a moment to judge who did what and where but a time to work for progress.

            “… we are a new team and this is a new era and many things have change and shall change with us going to the senate” We still have some old senators in our list. We shall all work as a team with all the substantives and the alternates. We are people oriented, we shall listen to the people, get what they want and represent them at the senate “she added.

            Public opinion in Bamenda have ranked the CPDM as a party that will need to work hard given that the CPDM pioneer councilors did little throughout their mandate. Their only significant action which many remember was the donation of a motor bike each to all the 34 councils.

            The SDF on the other hand has however promised to write the wrongs of the CPDM by doing what the outgoing CPDM senators left undone. The party started by investing young and dynamic candidates made up mostly of teachers and lawyers headed by 49 year- old Nkeze Emilia Kalebong. Since campaigns were launched they have been on the field giving councilors reason to trust the SDF.

            They include, Barrister Kemende Henry, Barrister Ajuoh Ngam Honore, Vaniganson Mochiggle, Buh Sule Tegha, Barrister Kinyang Nyang Georges, Kumbongsi Dyx Meten Alim.

            The United Democratic Party, UDP, a party of the presidential majority with no councilor in all the 34 councils of the region on her part has challenged councilors to say no to the violation of their human rights on what is today known as party discipline.

            El Hadj Lawan Bako, Senatorial list leader of the UDP during a press conference in Bamenda on March 11, 2018 called on councilors of the CPDM and SDF to vote massively for the UDP as the better alternative after the CPDM senators failed to deliver during their last mandate and the SDF for refusing to boycott parliament in November as requested by the electorates.

            “The UDP Senators if elected, shall embark on developmental projects taking the North West Region as a full constituency and municipal councilors as partners” he added.