Barely a month to the upcoming SDF Silver Jubilee, tension is mounting among Social Democratic Front militants as to what their darling party will become without their chairman twenty-five years after its creation in May, 26 1990.
Twenty-five years memory lane, speculations, evaluations and projections are worries presently rocking the minds of the party militants at all levels.
According to grassroots militants, the party's silver jubilee will be a turning point for meaningful changes to be ushered in. Districts meetings, fundraising are being held to raise funds and designate delegates that shall attend celebrations at the party regional headquarters in Bamenda.
There are calls and wishes from militants within and outside for the chairman to step down from a position which he has occupied for the past twenty-five years. Lamya Donatus Pishe, the Misaje Electoral District Chairman (MEDC) and militants wants the chairman to honour the party silver jubilee celebrations with news of his resignation or plans to do that.
At twenty-five, the militants are saying they need meaningful reforms to rekindle the lost interests of thousands of militants and those who have resigned from party activities. "Today, it is very difficult to call for a rally and have militants in attendance, not to talk of material and financial donations. An experience which was common in the past," the district chairman added.
The spirit of contributions within the party had long died, and the only thing grassroots militants want is for the chairman to resign and give way to another militant to stir the party and usher in a new culture to rekindle their interests.
Our sources revealed that the chairman shall soon embark on a U.S trip at the request of party militants in the U.S and beyond. The chairman will be expected to shed more lights on the recent resignation of the part's SG, and the preparations and readiness against the 2018 presidential elections.
Highly expected is his pronouncement on plans to resign from the party leadership.
Insiders of the party have hinted that the Chairman's successor will emerge from the Diaspora and that before the next convention of the party, amendments in the constitution shall be effected to put a financial condition of an amount still to be debated to scare and eliminate charlatans from contesting.
Other qualities that seem to be lacking in the chairman's profile will be added. This is to have a candidate that will be seen and accepted by all.
In one of his press briefings early last year, the chairman had made it very clear that he will not be standing as the party candidate in the next presidential election come 2018. It is in line with this declaration that grassroots militants are calling on him to announce plans or timetable of his resignation.
This will give the new party leader enough time to plan for the next presidential election. Three years from now is very little time for a party to draw plans, canvass for funds that will enable the party compete for victory, militant noted.
Should Fru Ndi not voluntarily step down, and still wishes to run for election will he win? Does he still remain the people's choice and the best candidate who can uphold and maintain the cause for which the party was created despite his age?