Cameroon’s foremost opposition party, the Social Democratic Front, SDF, which forced the birth of multiparty politics, has, in a show of strength and numbers, surprised many who had claimed that the party was dead.
From Buea, to Kumba, to Tiko and other areas, SDF militants turned out massively, marching and celebrating the National Day in ways that many had not anticipated. The case of Kumba particularly sent shockwaves. In Kumba, the party mobilised a huge crowd that observers say outnumbered the ruling CPDM.
SDF militants in Kumba marched for over 5 minutes, with the Regional Chairman of the SDF, HRM, Chief Kona Makia standing on his feet from the grandstand and cheering his comrades. Videos of the march past in Kumba have been trending on social media with many saluting the reawakening of the party in the region, saying the CPDM and others must be feeling worried.
Buea Says Turnout Is Tip Of Iceberg
In Buea, the SDF, building on the its efforts from last year, once again demonstrated its patriotism during the National Day parade in Buea.
Following the party’s massive turnout at the Buea Independence Square, commemorating the national day on May 20, its Buea Chairman, John Efokoa, urged them to transmit the energy to voter registration.
“We are sensitising our militants that we are advocating for good governance and that they should endeavour to put their names on the electoral register,” he said shortly after the parade.
The chairman was very impressed. He was seen standing in front of the attendees at the grandstand with his right hand raised up strong, symbolising power to the people as SDF militants march past.
This, to him, indicates what the party is planning to unleash ahead of the major elections in the coming months.
“We are actually preparing for upcoming elections, and this is just the tip of the iceberg,” he said.
The SDF militants that march past comprised the various wards that make up the party’s Buea electoral district.
Looking at the nature of the event, John Efokoa said the SDF will soon take over the affairs of this nation.
And once they do, citizens will benefit a lot from social amenities.
“There are a lot of things that we have lost. A lot of things we have not been getting because of bad governance. We also believe that people that are watching us at this event of the 20th may nationwide should be able to understand that the SDF stands for Cameroon with better leadership,” he added.
In previous outings, the Southwest regional Chairman of the SDF, Chief Kona Makia and his executive have repeatedly said that they will leave no stone unturned in the region as they intend to capture as much territory as possible, by sweeping all votes in all upcoming elections.
The party has moved to revive and reenergise all its structures in the Southwest Region. Chief Kona Makia has in several outings criticised the way several councils and cities are run in the region. He has vowed to that the party will capitalise on the failures of the CPDM, by focusing on the everyday needs of the people and working with them to make their lives and their cities better.
By Andrew Nsoseka
