Cameroon: Fru Ndi decries intrigues in the SDF, sets deadline to resolve the Littoral palaver

The Chairman of the Social Democratic Front, Cameroon's leading opposition party has condemned the unhealthy rivalry that has rocked the party in recent years. Fru Ndi said that he was at a lose to see some of the SDF MPs alongside Mayors being accused by the electorate for unfulfilled promises as the case with Hon Ndong Larry of Menchum North constituency and the long standing leadership problems in the Littoral Regional bureau. Chairman Ni Fru Ndi has set a deadline to end the crisis in the Littoral Regional Bureau on February 21, 2016. 

The Chairman was visibly not satisfied with the abortive attempts by various National Executive Committee [NEC] members dispatched to the Littoral since 2013 to put an end to the disturbing situation . Our source in Bamenda hinted that Mr. Fru Ndi is not happy with the 1st National Chair, Osieh Joshua for encouraging the bitterness within the party. The Littoral bureau discrepancy started in 2013 when a group addressed a petition to NEC on the activities of the Littoral Chairman, Hon. Nintcheu. The petitioners who were predominantly officials of the Douala I and V electoral districts claimed Hon Nintcheu’s four year mandate had expired but he was still hanging on to power. Hon Nintcheu for his part said those who were protesting against his leadership were CPDM militants in SDF clothing.

On the strength of all these, NEC ordered a reorganisation exercise that started from the Wards to the Regional bureau. This however did not hold due to the municipal and parliamentary elections of that same year. Events took a dramatic u turn when Hon Asapgngu, delegated by NEC to oversee the elections later in 2014 was withdrawn when the Nintcheu camp alleged he was corrupt. The SDF decided to send Senator Tsomelou to handle the issue. The decision was celebrated by Nintcheu and his group who shortly turned against him when he recognized an earlier election that was staged by Asapgngu.

Last year, the SDF decided that two senior members, Hon. Awudu Mbaya and Vaniganeen Mo Chiggle were to join Senator Tsomelou to handle the crisis. A meeting was then held with the opposing camps to arrange a date for the elections. Hon. Awudu Mbaya shied away immediately after an election date was fixed for December 12, 2015. The confusion continued when some members claimed no date was agreed for the elections during a NEC meeting that held on Saturday, 14 November, 2015.Chairman Fru Ndi has decided to put an end to the Douala crisis this February 21, 2016.How he intends to do it is a matter of wait and see.