At SDF Convention, CPDM/ SDF Romance Spark Controversy

 The romance between the ruling CPDM and the SDF has reached it apex and fears are abound that it could lead to the collapse of the leading opposition in Cameroon. The presence of a powerful delegation of the CPDM in Bamenda (representing President Biya) at the 8^th Convention of the SDF has been raising storm in the tea cup among SDF die-hearts. To many who took politics to be a systematic organization of hatred, Fru Ndi has chopped “soya”. To others, the SDF should accept dialogue and the policy of appeasement of the CPDM to consolidate it leading position as main opposition party in Cameroon, yet bookmakers are of the opinion that the romance between the CPDM and the SDF may destroy the opposition in Cameroon.

The presence of a powerful delegation of the Central Committee of the CPDM led by the Deputy Secretary General of the CPDM cum Minister of Labour and Social Security, Gregoire Owona at the 8^th National Convention of the Social Democratic Front in Bamenda as been described as Ni John Fru Ndi’s new found romance and an opportunity to make cash. To many Cameroon’s apostles Paul and John (Paul Biya and Fru Ndi) both intimate disciples of Jesus are the “the two bad things that ever happened to Cameroonians”.

 CPDM message to the  SDF delegates in Bamenda at the Convention opening, Gregoire Owona exploded with joy that the relationship between the Social Democratic Front and the Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement is actua”lly on a good footing. “As you ball know, Bamenda remains engraved in the golden letters in the annals if thye CPDM for, the CPDM saw the light of the day on the 24^th March 1985 in this same Bamenda Congress Hall. It is also from this city that the SDF your party was presented to Cameroonians” Owona said. According to Gregoire Owona, Bamenda is a golden city for both the CPDM and the SDF because it was in Bamenda that on March 24, 1985 his political party was created and the same Bamenda that gave birth to the SDF on May 26, 1990. Today, he said these two political parties make up the leading forces in the country. He also recalled how it was in that President Paul Biya and Fru Ndi met for the first time. The CPDM he added is ready to work with the SDF when it is necessary for a better Cameroon. He said the dialogue between the CPDM and the SDF started since 1997 and this is proof of the fact that the CPDM is always open to work with the SDF for a veritable democracy in Cameroon. CPDM, he said has always stretches it hand and will never turn down any, no matter where it comes from. He added that it is the policy of appeasement that the CPDM is adopting towards the SDF and continued that “Your invitation and our presence at this 8^th Ordinary Convention of the SDF symbolizes our common will to pursue the dialogue between the forces of progress for the advent of a strong and authentic democracy in our country. This invitation of the SDF sounds like a resumption of dialogue between the CPDM and the SDF which started in 1997 with the creation of the joint reflection Committee, which unfortunately died off prematurely. Many years have gone by, many things have changed but our common will to build a special model democracy that ties in with the virtues of peace, tolerance, acceptance of our differences in unity, remains stronger than ever in our country” which is the fervent wish of the President of the CPDM, Paul Biya. “In accepting this invitation, we want to show that the interest of this nation is above partisan interest”. Gregoire Owona ended his speech by calling on the SDF (Ni John Fru) to partner with the CPDM for peace, unity, social justice so much so that the two could work for an emerging Cameroon.  It should be noted that the CPDM delegation led by Gregoire Owona (Fru Ndi’s personal friend) was made up of Talba Malam, Emma Lafon and Fru Jonathan. The fact that it was Gregoire Owona who led the CPDM delegation further confirmed rumours that he has been the link between the CPDM and the SDF. Officially, the famouse breakfast Fru Ndi offered to Owona some years ago have continued to serve as the spring board for the CPDM/SDF to-be alliance. Yet, it was the same Owona Gregoire who stormed Fru Ndi’s residence in 2011 to join him at 70^th anniversary. While in Bamenda, the CPDM delegation has been receiving VIP treatment from the chairman of the SDF. When the team arrived in Bamenda on the night of October 11, they were treated to a dinner and bottle dance festa at Fru Ndi’s residence.

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