At 23rd Anniversary of the SDF: 302 Decamp from CPDM, Over 12.000 in Attendance

Hon. Mbaya and wife (Mary Awudu) at the Nkambe Granstand

 By Fai Cassian Ndi

The slogans of the Social Democratic Front, SDF were alive at the Nkambe Grandstand stadium on Sunday May 26 as the leading opposition party celebrated 23 years of continued existence. To reecho its existence over 12.000 SDF militants staged a pacific march that lasted for over four hours, chanting “tell me your party if you don’t know SDF”.

The unexpected happened when 302 CPDM militants crossed the carpet to join the SDF. There was trumpet blast when Samba Napoleon alias La Samba, moved to the rostrum to declare he has decamped. “After 17 years, I have decided to quit the CPDM. I prefer to be in a winning side”, he concluded. In his testimony, Pa Ta Shey Elias Kargong said he has militated in the CPDM since inception but has taken a firm stand to move into the SDF.

Addressing the crowd, Hon. Awudu Mbaya Cyprian, the Member of Parliament for Nkambe Central, congratulated the population for the massive turn-out. To Hon. Awudu Mbaya their massive presence is warning signal and an open letter to their political opponents. To this Hon. Awudu Mbaya added that SDF militants have reaffirmed the assurance to strengthen the great effort to win power and ensure equal opportunities for all in Cameroon.

SDF officials at Grandstand

As the count down to this year’s municipal and legislative election narrows down Hon. Awudu Mbaya also used to opportunity to challenge CPDM bigwigs stiffen their boats else some of them who promised to empty their accounts to flush the SDF may go bare footed. He however, saluted party militants who have been steadfast for 23 years and urged them to take care and not to fall into temptation as they all prepare to win power and bring hope to Cameroonians.

Harping on why the SDF was created, Mangoh Jones Tanko said after 23 years, he has seen a more determined people like was the case in 1991 when Ni John Fru Ndi visited Nkambe for the first time. He said he has heard and seen some naïve people who have nothing to offer claiming that they will effect change in Nkambe. “Give them zero votes” he emphasized. When asked by this reporter to assess the impact of the SDF as ruling party in Nkambe, Mangoh Jones said that when the SDF took over the municipality some 18 years ago, the district hospital had no drugs, doctor and even nurses. The population of the municipality was confused given that there were no roads linking villages, no dispensaries; schools were operating under sheds and borrowed premises, Nkambe council had no town hall etc. But the coming of the SDF has recorded the construction and equipping of 44 classrooms, construction of four health centers (dispensaries), opening of farms to market roads, and access to potable water has been achieved by over 79% etc. “May 26, 2013 has demonstrated that the SDF remains the strongest political party in Nkambe and I think those were misled are leaking their wounds now. In 1996 we won by 81%, this year we are going to go out very fully” he concluded.

Addressing the population at the Nkambe Grandstand, Madame Mary Awudu on her part called on SDF militants to remain steadfast. She said it is better to be poor and have people because money can never buy peoples’ consciences. She wondered whether they weren’t anyone from Mbum land who could be made senator by the CPDM. “It is shameful that we have been reduced to the level of Secretaries of state, even now we do not have one”. Madame Mary Awudu also wondered loudly why the construction of the ring road ends only in Kumbo. “Those who are talking of developing Mbumland today should tell us what they did when they were in government for years”. In her usual tempo, what she could not say in her speech, she ended it in a song.

Cross-section of the over 12.000 man-crowd

 It was clear that the SDF is gaining steam when judged from the massive turnout. . He inspired followers to renew commitment with actions that produce results. He however, saluted party militants who have been steadfast for 23 years and urged them to take care of their health as the way forward to prepare for greater efforts to win power and bring hope to Cameroonians.

He called on SDF sympathizers to take advantage of re-opened biometric registers to massively register, vote and defend their votes.

On his part Mbeh Wilfred SDF district Chairman called on the militants to be more vigilant. He said their massive turnout clearly demonstrate their attachment to SDF dogma. Over 300 dance groups took part in the celebrations. Allegations are rife that 13 cows were slaughtered for the feast. 

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