The Social Democratic Front (SDF) has publicly distanced itself from one of its own senators and is threatening “heavy disciplinary action” after he was seen participating in what appeared to be a campaign event for the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM).
The party, in a strongly-worded press release, expressed its profound embarrassment over the actions of Senator MOCHIGGLE Vanigansen, who on 3rd October 2025 in Bamenda, took part in a gathering featuring the CPDM’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Atangi Nji Paul.
The incident represents a significant embarrassment for the SDF, which is currently in the thick of an electoral battle to unseat President Paul Biya’s long-standing regime through democratic means.
The party’s Secretary General, who has been vested with the operational direction of the SDF during this sensitive period, swiftly moved to isolate the senator. The release stated categorically that the SDF “distances itself from the activities of Senator Mochiggle” and from any claims made about the party by Minister Atanga Nji during the meeting.
Crucially, the communiqué highlighted that Senator Mochiggle is a formal member of the SDF’s own campaign team and was, at the time of the incident, supposed to be canvassing for the party’s candidate, Hon. Joshua Osih, in the Centre Region.
“Considering Section 15 (ii) of the Constitution of the party,” the release noted, the senator’s behaviour constitutes an “anti-party activity” that is likely to “bring the party into hatred, contempt or disrepute.”
In a clear indication that severe consequences are imminent, the statement concluded by noting that the senator had, by his own actions, “distanced himself from the party,” and that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) “will take its responsibility.”
This public rift exposes the fierce internal pressures within Cameroon’s main opposition party at a critical juncture. The SDF’s leadership is now faced with the task of maintaining a united front against the incumbent CPDM while simultaneously managing what it deems as treachery from within its own ranks.
