'I am Trying to Build Young Leaders' - Fru Ndi

Ni John Fru Ndi, re-elected SDF National Chairman talks on convention and the way forward.

How would you size up the 8th ordinary elective Convention of the SDF?

I cannot pretend to pass a valid judgement on the level of success or failure of the Social Democratic Front (SDF) convention which we organised in Bamenda. While I leave it to others, I may only say that the convention has come and gone and this is perhaps, the opportunity for me to thank all those who stood by the SDF for the Convention to succeed. The convention featured a major innovation with the introduction of the single ballot paper for elections. We might have suffered a few lapses but it was our intention to have delegates to the convention vote, region by region to enable us check fraud. In that way it was easy to detect fowl play if for instance, 400 delegates from the North West voted for Fru Ndi while we know that only 350 were officially accredited. I really congratulate the SDF Committee that initiated and caused us to implement the single ballot experience at the convention. From that perspective, I have every reason to say that the SDF elective convention was a huge success.

But, cost is the only difference that draws the lines between the single ballot and what obtains so far in Cameroon's electoral system.

There are more advantages with the single ballot paper. Those voting, easily identify the faces of candidates on the same ballot paper. This is better than the cumbersome approach where even old people and patients have to spend time selecting from about 23 different ballot papers as was the case in the last presidential election. Sometimes, not all the ballot papers of respective candidates are available. That is frustrating. The single ballot paper goes with simple thump printing and this avoids possibilities of bribing electors to vote and present ballots of opponents in exchange for cash. We took time to educate SDF faithful on the use of the single ballot papers before implementing it at the elective convention.

Which way forward for the SDF after the Convention?

The Convention was all about where we are coming from and the next National Executive Committee -NEC, meeting will review the activities of the convention, receive new NEC members, look at convention resolutions and the policy statement before charting the way forward.

What inspired the SDF to invite the ruling CPDM National Chairman to the 8th Ordinary elective convention and what did the SDF get from CPDM's effective participation?

It was all about dialogue. Do not forget that the SDF has been setting the agenda for dialogue with the CPDM. It was also to show others what we do. How many parties in Cameroon effectively organise conventions and elect people to run such parties the way we do? Do not also forget that the SDF was at its 8th Convention in only 22 years.

What reading did Chairman, Fru Ndi make of CPDM's message at the Convention?

It was nice that the CPDM honoured our invitation. The CPDM delegation members witnessed our deliberations and like the Chinese say, a thousand miles journey starts with a step. That is a good start for the SDF and the CPDM.

How would you explain the absence of a challenger for the position of SDF National Chairman at the elective Convention?. Is it because you are unbeatable?

Perhaps, I should say that those who challenged me in the past burnt their fingers because they were people without any field experience. How did you expect somebody to fly in from France, live in hotels in Yaounde and move on to beat Fru Ndi on the field. That experience perhaps, destroyed his political future because here was a man that was absent from the field. He was unknown but wanted to lead the SDF. He later retired to France after loosing, but bounced back and joined Ben Muna and today we do not know where they are. Another person is Paulinus Jua. He challenged me at the Provincial level towards the race for the National Chairman and lost before going on to loose his position as a Parliamentarian without me standing on his way. Since then, he is no more active in the party. This makes me ask if they were really committed to challenge Fru Ndi or whether they were making a mockery or fun. Perhaps, I should say that whether winning or losing I am on the field. We have some SDF MPs who are unable to manage micro project money but their strength is only in the belief that they can challenge Fru Ndi. This is to say that most of those who challenge me or mute the idea, do so just for their records and not because they are convinced. They do so without any conviction. I am trying to build young leaders with the spirit to do better than what I have done so far. If the SDF should end where I end, then I have failed.

And, how soon will Chairman, Fru Ndi not be at the helm of the SDF?

As soon as I can no more make it.