The Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement has an overwhelming majority of the electorate – municipal and regional councilors but is facing opposition from the SDF with a handful of the voters.
The March 12 senatorial election has an interesting twist in the North West region. The torchlight ruling party fully controls 33 of the 34 councils in the region. The one-time leading opposition party SDF presides over a single council. Yet the party that is falling apart with the recent dismissal of 34 big wigs is running against the CPDM.
No doubt, the Secretary for Political Training and Planning at the Central Committee, Professor Paul Célestin Ndembiyembe described the region where the CPDM Party presently carries the majority in both the municipal and Regional councils, but is still facing some degree of opposition. Prof. Ndembiyembe says the North West is a “sensitive region” given the specific conditions under which the regional councilors were elected without any opposition, winning all 66 seats. The SDF has only 31 (in Bamenda III Council, Mezam division) out of the 1044 as far as municipal councilors are concerned. During both elections the CPDM competed with tree other parties. Now, the CPDM has only one party.
The CPDM hierarchy in the region is fully aware that taking chances could result in a flop of the party at the senatorial election and usher in the resurgence of the opposition.
Prof. Ndembiyembe says the aim of the opposition SDF is to reconquer lost territory and regain a good chunk of the political landscape. “Our strategy”, he said, “must therefore be geared towards securing our present gains and remaining vigilant at all times”.
Team work is required to avert the CPDM of any unpleasant surprises. Militants must put aside individual agendas as The National President Paul Biya points out in his circular about the March 12 senatorial election – “the list is that of the CPDM party and not that of any individuals”.
Jude VIBAN
