SDF National Chairmanship position: NEC sets tough condition to get Fru Ndi’s successor.

Discussions on the modalities to be fulfilled by aspirants for the party’s top job, was at the centre of debate at last Saturday’s NEC meeting held in Yaounde.

Though held behind closed doors, The Guardian Post gathered that discussions on the conditions to be fulfilled by candidates for the post of National Chairman of the party, preoccupied participants at the meeting.

It was gathered that several proposals were on the table. But after a lengthy debate, NEC members approved the sum of 7 million FCFA as non-refundable caution fee for aspirants to the party’s coveted position of National Chairman. 

The fee has thus witnessed a drastic increase of over 6, 950,000 FCFA. A meager 50,000 FCFA was previously paid by candidates.

Meanwhile, no reason has immediately been advanced for the drastic increase, though The Guardian Post learned from inside sources that some NEC members had even proposed 20 million FCFA as caution fee while others stood for the status quo to be maintained. 

But following lengthy discussions, the executive committee settled on 7 million FCFA. Aspirants for other elective positions within NEC, we gathered, will have to pay higher sums, which were also approved during at the Yaounde meeting.

The increase in the amount of caution fee to be paid by National Chairmanship aspirants has since sent tongues wagging within the SDF. 

Some disgruntled SDF supporters, who preferred to remain unnamed, have been quick at describing the move as a well calculated ploy to bar the way for several potential candidates who may not be able to afford such colossal amount. 

However, besides the party’s First Vice National President, Hon Joshua Osih, whose ambition of becoming National Chairman are well known, other potential candidates have been maintaining sealed lips.

Showdown expected in October

Meanwhile, the date for the Elective Convention of the SDF is now known. Initially slated for July this year, the high level gathering will run from October 27-28 in Yaounde.

The new date for the gathering emerged this week following last Saturday’s National Executive Committee, NEC meeting held in Yaounde. The decision is amongst several other resolutions arrived at the meeting.

In the resolutions circulated Tuesday, the SDF said it was “deeply saddened by the death of the National Chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi, who transitioned to glory on June 12, 2023…”

The document said due to the announced funeral of the outfit’s national chieftain, all political activities of the party have been suspended until August 6.

The statement however mentioned that NEC had postponed “and sets the new dates of the 10th Ordinary National Convention for the 27th and 28th of October 2023, due to the funeral of our National Chairman of blessed memory”.

Turning to other issues of national interest, the NEC statement said: “Considering the ongoing civil war in the North West and South West Regions; considering the high cost of living in Cameroon and the abundance of counterfeit products in the market; the National Executive Committee; Strongly condemns the government's inability to bring a lasting end to the ongoing crisis in the North West and South West Regions, and reiterates our urge for the government to take a bold political decision to bring the crisis to an end”.

The party also said it was condemning the atrocities and violence inflicted on the local population by separatist fighters in the said Regions and the misery they inflict on the population.

It then called “on the government to take appropriate measures to ensure the protection of the purchasing power of Cameroon households, not only in controlling and stabilising prices of basic necessity but especially in increasing family revenues and fighting against the supply of counterfeit products in the market”.

The SDF urged government to take appropriate measures in guaranteeing and increasing the minimum salary of workers in Cameroon as well as protect their rights and not the interests of multinational companies.

It has also reminded “government that in order to boost private sector growth and promote private entrepreneurship, simple clear and efficient macro-economic policies must be adopted following national realities.

On international issues, the statement reads: “Considering the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the worrying events of a military, considering the escalating civil war in Sudan; The National Executive Committee re-iterates its call for a peaceful settlement of the conflict and supports the position of the peace delegation of five African Heads of State in Kiev and Moscow recently; calls on restraint by both sides of the civil war in Sudan and an immediate ceasefire to save lives and protect property”.