The founding of the Social Democratic Front, SDF, as a political movement in the country in 1990, and the controversy, as well as the challenges that marked its eventual launching in Bamenda, should never be written off as a non-issue and therefore not suitable for history.
Today we want to believe that history beckons on the SDF, now that, contrary to fears about the future of the party under the leadership of Fru Ndi, the leading founding father, Fru Ndi has begun his journey out of the galaxy of those who would want to cling to power. He may still bear the face of the party all around him, but his recent declaration not to run for presidency or the senate, are glaring indications that the chairman is aware of the fact that the wear and tear of power, that comes with longevity on the saddle, is a reality which he has to face by selecting the option of an honourable exit.
Under this circumstance, therefore, there is every reason why we consider it pertinent to appreciate and hail the chairman for doing the right thing. We say the right thing, because such a gesture is rare in the body politics of our country. It is therefore a gesture which must be emulated, in a society in which the values of a functional democracy such as we profess to practice, is being shunned and transformed into a personality game, where the individual remains the emblem of society.
We base our judgment, for example, on side-line debates that have most often taken their rounds whenever supporters of both the ruling CPDM and the main opposition, the SDF argue. Their arguments usually evade issues and rather settle on the personalities of their leaders. Because Fru Ndi and his SDF have always brandished their election manifesto on changing the regime, and by implication the system, also meaning replacing the incumbent Biya, supporters of the ruling party have equally responded by brandishing their leader as the ‘’natural candidate’’ who cannot be replaced, probably until death settles the issue.
The final question that usually arises from these two stand points is: and this comes mostly from the incumbent’s supporters is: ‘’ Why insist on Biya to step down. Has Fru Ndi not also sat on the saddle as leader of the SDF for too long, has he ever given up his ambition to stand as presidential candidate, or has he ever thought of quitting the stage?
These are however weightless arguments that only help to lower the standards of our politics. The issue at hand is that the SDF, which seems to hang its motto on change, should use Fru Ndi’s decision to step down, as model to reform the party and inhale a new spirit of constructive debates on issues that border not only on the party, but that debates must take cognizance of the fact that the SDF is an alternative force in the politics of this country.
Already, there seems to be perceptible positive energy around the party. We can certainly not rule out the fact that there are bitter internal squabbles on who to represent the party. We have no quarrel with this kind of development because it is normal in any democratic set up, provided such squabbles do not go beyond limits.
We think also that party militants have to take advantage of the new direction of the wind in their sails, and where it is about to direct them. Here we are looking at the issue of producing a candidate who can be capable of not only uniting the party, but also giving the party a new image that will sink deep into the imaginations of those who had lived all along to doubt the capabilities of the SDF as a force. Such an image must compel the party to walk away from the stigma which the ruling party has imposed on the SDF as well as other opposition parties, a negative image that has introduced in our politics, the elements of tribalism, regionalism, xenophobia and even personality cult.
Taking advantage of the wind that is blowing in the party, the SDF should try to build for itself a more national image rather than the one they have been painted, either wrongly or rightly as a Bamenda or an Anglo-Bami party. It is already an established fact that the stakes of this convention are most especially on the selection of a presidential candidate from among three Members of Parliament, Hon. Joshua, Osih, Hon. Mbah Ndam and Hon. Forbi Nchinda.
Without, however, discrediting the others, the one candidate who has all along had a national appeal and has been on the minds of many delegates at the convention is Joshua Osih. We in this Newspaper therefore think Joshua Osih is a far better choice as candidate for the party. His drive and energy due to his youthfulness and his mastery of issues which he has demonstrated time without number during public debates are all strong positives that make him a formidable candidate.
BY ATIA AZOHNWI
(Political Desk Editor)