The cold war ongoing between the hierarchies of Cameroon’s
most populous opposition political party the Social Democratic Front has taken
another twist with accusations from the Party and counters from the “illegal” councilors
of the Tubah Council. Continuing from a
standoff that ensued from the 2013 municipal elections, the SDF hierarchy still
believes that Mayor Tanjong Martin M and his councilors defied party
instructions to seize office.
Meeting in Bamenda Saturday August 30, 2014, the National Executive
Committee NEC of the SDF ordered the re organization of the Tubah Electoral
District as spelled out in article 18.8 of the party. Hitherto the decision,
Mayor Tanjong who before his election as Mayor was district chairman was still
in the function. For disrespecting party’s investiture decision on who becomes
Mayor, many expected that the SDF was going to issue its famous article 8.2 on
Mayor Tanjong for non-respect of party decision. This however did not happen
and so when the party decreed reorganization this was interpreted as a
calculated move to flush Mayor Tanjong from the party well ahead of the 2018
municipal election. Sensing this move Mayor Tanjong and his Councilors planned
a move to denounce their SDF membership.
In an effort to broker a peace deal and stop the action, an emergency
meeting was held in the Tubah Council premises on Saturday September 6 2014 between
decedent councilors and the Regional Chairman of the party Hon Njong Evaristus.
Unfortunately the meeting rather
generated more tension causing the Mayor and his team to vomit the can of worms
during a conclave in Bambili on Monday September 8 2014.
According to the Mayor and his councilors the current
Regional Chairman of the SDF lacks the competence to question their legitimacy
at the helm of the Tubah municipality. Citing the loss of councils in the
Northwest like the Nkambe, Mbengwi, Fundong,Santa and others, his refusal to
contest primaries at his constituency ahead of the 2013 legislative elections,
SDF’s failure in the Senatorial elections and others, the conclave maintained
that he is just the wrong person to be at the helm of the SDF in the Northwest
Region.
With threats of resignations still looming in Tubah, reports
say negotiations are underway for a possible reconciliation in the nearest
future.