SDF's Mayors and deputies can't run for District positions

Mayors and Deputy Mayors of Cameroon’s leading opposition political party, Social Democratic Front (SDF), have been barred from running for positions in the party’s grassroots organs, the Electoral District in the ongoing operation to elect new executive bureau members of these organs nationwide.

John Fru Ndi, SDF National Chairman has confirmed the decision which was taken in a recent SDF National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the party's headquarters in Bamenda.

Mayors and Deputy Mayors aspiring for executive positions in the grassroots structures must resign. The decision, Fru Ndi clarified, is aimed at stopping SDF officials such as mayors from cumulating the functions of District chairman.

The Post newspaper reported that four SDF Mayors and Deputy Mayors by the NEC decision barred from fulfilling their ambitions of maintaining their leadership positions or becoming leaders at the grassroots level.

The newspaper said with the implementation of the decision, John Kona Makia, Mayor of Kumba III Council, Daniel Mokoundo, Mayor of Tiko Council, Promise Chia Ful ;First Deputy Mayor of Kumba II Council and Raphael Tanyi the First Deputy Mayor of Kumba I Council; who have been campaigning to be elected SDF District Chairpersons have been disqualified.

The NEC decision which was not overtly published became clear during the elective general assembly session organized to vote the SDF Electoral District Chairman for Kumba II District on Saturday, November 21. George Likiye, SDF Regional Chairman for the South West Region announced the decision that was hitherto considered as a rumour.

One of the contenders, Promise Chia, a deputy mayor was asked to withdraw from the process, but he refused; His supporters and officials reportedly resorted to calling Fru Ndi for confirmation and his answer was in the affirmative, stating that the decision must be implemented.

However, even with the clarification from Fru Ndi, Chia continued to insist on standing for election, arguing that the post of First Deputy Mayor was an administrative business and as such, he was not answerable to the SDF National Executive Committee.

With the disorder Chia and his supporters created, the party’s delegation leader George Likiye suspended the election in Kumba II District.