SDF at 25: Benjamin Fru Ndi speaks out

Launched in Bamenda on May 26,1990, the 2016 anniversary provided another platform for recollection and reflection following a significant drop in the coverage of the National Territory with fewer councils and parliamentary seats as was the case in the early 90s.

As the party celebrated 26 this May 26, 2016, hilltopvoices.org spoke to Benjamin Fru Ndi SDF Councilor for Bamenda II Council, Senior Councilor of the Bamenda City Council, An Urban planner, Political scientist and son of SDF National Chairman Ni John Fru Ndi. During the interview he made some declarations which we will like to highlight for you

Launching of the SDF

That May 26, 1990, when the SDF was launched Benjamin explained he was only four and a pupil of PNEU (Parents National Education Union) primary school with campus being the Bamenda congress hall at the time. Early before he and his siblings left for school, his father Ni John Fru Ndi handed to him and others some beautiful rose flowers and to his grandmother who received one; it was to be placed on Fru Ndi’s grave when he is killed after the launching noted.

Later that morning their father sent his driver who collected them from school in his green 504 car and on their way home boys jumped on the car around the now fishpond hill area shouting power…. Power… and to him all this meant just noting but today he sees how much people wanted change.

Youths in the SDF

Denying that he was not made councilor at about 28 because he was chairman’s son, Benjamin maintained that “there is space for everyone in the SDF”. The most essential is the personal decision that you want to belong. To the youths he said no one should expect anyone to come get them from their rooms. “You must make the step first” and you will receive his support.

He explained that his journey to becoming councilor was not an easy one as he faced lots of challenges particular as a youth yet he was steadfast. He beat four during primaries, and beat others who wanted to misinterpret the party constitution to pull off his name. His father he declared did not know of his initial decision to be councilor.

Party presence on the National Territory

Reacting to the little occupation of the National territory by his party yet with the dream of taking power, Benjamin Fru Ndi stated that there has been a serious drop in conviction and commitment. According to him, many people are no longer committed as much as they did before. Benjamin lamented that it is very expensive to run for all councils in Cameroon and with such lack of commitment; it is difficult to be present in all parts of the country. He was however comfortable with the fact that the party has councilors in the North and the East of Cameroon. He estimated the sum of about FCFA1.2bn just to register the councilors at One hundred thousand francs each. “Without re-commitment from militants who can contribute to fund party activities, it will be difficult to take the place of the ruling party in Cameroon. People must come back with conviction for change and recommit themselves financially”.

Why party policy focuses mostly on Agriculture

According to Benjamin, agriculture is the mainstay of Cameroon’s economy and ones the sector is properly developed every other thing will fall in place.

Coalition with the SDF to bark a different opposition leader

In few words Benjamin Fru Ndi said if another opposition has the ability to be presidential material then he or she does not need the barking of the SDF. He likened the SDF to a river and other parties like streams insinuating that the SDF should always lead until some beats their records with election results.

Presidential Candidate barred from party activities

Quizzed on why the SDF barred Felix Teche Nyamusa who presents himself SDF presidential hopeful pending primaries and says he was recently barred from party activities, Benjamine Fru Ndi demanded for a document that bars Teche thus denying that the presidential hopeful was never barred.

His relationship with officials of other parties

According to Benjamin, he meets with them out of official settings or on the sidelines during they discuss just some niceties and exchange greetings. However he added, they may talk official issues following his decision to voluntarily assist the party and the Chairman as Secretary since the General Secretary stepped aside some time back.

Others

On “disloyal” council particularly Tubah Council where the Mayor has been described as disrespectful of party institutions, the Secretary said the reconciliation formed sometime back is still at work and so no further comments could be made.

For a presidential candidate for the party, He concluded that a convention will be held early next year and the one elected will represent the party.