The secretary general for the SDF for the north west region and coordinator for Ngoketunjia division has joined the ranks of the CPDM with the view of contributing to foster peace, unity, growth and development as a way to make up for 35 long years wasted as a militant of the SDF.
L’ Action: The North west and South west regions have since 2016 known a socio-political crisis that has threatened the economic structure and the security of the populations of these regions. What appreciation do you make of this situation?
The crisis in the North west and South west have really been a problem. It has caused a lot of havoc in my region, the North west. I want to think that for the past eight or nine years, we have had problems of movement, displacements and insecurity. However, the situation for now is actually improving because we are gradually struggling to phase out those who are fomenting problems. I really think that the situation is gradually coming to the end. I also know that with the tactics we, and particularly the CPDM has put in place through the efforts of local party authorities like Moh Sylvester and the Hon. Njingum Musa and many other stakeholders of the CPDM, we are going to completely phase out insecurity and restore hope to our division in the shortest possible time. In the North west now generally, all other stake holders are doing the same. You will bear with me that the kind of pressure and tension that existed in the region a few years back has piped down. If you get to Bamenda now, if you don’t get into an exceptional situation of violence, you will not know that there is anything happening. The situation is gradually normalising.
L’Action: At just a few weeks to the convening of the electoral corps what appreciation can you make of the voter registration situation in your area?
A lot of people have and are still registering. Elecam has been doing a lot of registration in Babessi which is the headquarters of Babessi council. In Ngoketunjia in general, particularly in Ndop; a lot of registration has been going on. We have been encouraging people even in Bamenda town to go to Up station where registration has been going on and get themselves registered. Averagely, and contrary to what happened in 2020 a lot of people have registered and are ready to brave the odds and participate in the upcoming election. I think that the situation is not all that bad. As for the general political nature of the region, I want to think that there is some element of consciousness being restored. You will bear with me that in the last few months, particularly during the last national day most political parties like the CPDM, the SDF marched in so many divisional Headquarters. This is an indication that the situation has improved tremendously. Our hope is that with the massive registration, and the education of all to participate in the election a lot will go for better
L’Action: After 35 years of militancy with the SDF, you have today decided to abandon them and to join the CPDM. What is your motivation?
Political organisations function like families, sometimes when you look at the way people function you will realize that there are some families that are more organised and coordinated than others. With the kind of team work, the coordinated activities and the focus that the CPDM has towards building unity, peace, tranquillity and some kind of developmental projects that they are earmarking for our region, it just dawned on me that if I become part of the CPDM family, we will together be able to do things far better than I could have done in the SDF. This is the reason why I think I should become part of this larger family to see how I can contribute my own quota in the development of my division and my region.
L’ Action: If you were to advice any one still trapped in the SDF, what will you tell them?
Sincerely you know that politics needs education. If I were asked to advice any one, I will ask them to choose the winning team. I will ask them to join the people who have a focus, people who can put their resources together for development, for peace, growth and progress. These are qualities that are completely absent in the SDF. And as I am talking now if there’s any body listening to me who is still in the SDF, I will say as an advice that they Leave that party now and join the CPDM.
Irene Aweneg
