BY WIFAH JENNYHANS NDE
The Secretary General of the Social Democratic Front, SDF, Senator Jean Tsomelu has revealed that given the circumstances, the Honorable Member of Parliament for Jakiri, Hon Joseph Wirba had every reason to escape from the country.
Senator Jean Tsemolu frowned bitterly at the decision of the Delegate for National Security who issued an arrest warrant against Hon. Wirba Joseph. “We have no problem with any MP of our party, the CPDM and the Biya regime should be asked what they want from Cameroonians, what they want from the people of North West and South West Regions. I am disappointed in the
Delegate for National Security for issuing an arrest warrant against somebody who has immunity. If Ayah Paul who has immunity could be arrested and detained in this state of lawlessness, then Hon. Wirba has every reason to escape. Every human being desires to be free” the SG concluded.
Senator Tsemolu was making the remarks on the sidelines of the National Executive Committee, NEC meeting that held last Saturday May 27, 2017, in Bamenda.
Among many salient issues that were discussed and resolved was the party’s boycott of National Day on May 20, the party’s 27th anniversary which happened last May 26, the party’s Newspaper, SDF Echoes amongst others, were equally some sidelines that might not have been mentioned in their resolutions.
Top of which was the bitter regret from SDF officials against media organs that published information which, according to Denis Nkemlengu, Deputy National Communication Secretary for the SDF to the party, was not authentic. Some of the information that the SDF regretted its publication includes a possible article 8.2 to be slammed on some party officials and mayors.
Speaking to The SUN on this issue, the National Communication Secretary, Madam Anebom Beatrice Munjo said the media should stop creating unnecessary tension among political parties in the country. “I want to say this Cameroon belongs to all of us and the press is the 4th estate of the nation. Before this NEC meeting, the press made all kinds of speculations. Some press organs said we are going to give 8/2 to mayors, Hon. Joshua Osih and so on. I want to plead with the press of this country, we are building, we are not destroying. Help us the political parties build this country”. Madam Anebom furthered.
Quizzed on why the SDF sometimes avoid talking to the press for valuable information, the SDF through her communication unit declined such allegations and claimed they are always available to the public for whatever worry that concerns the life of the party.
The SUN equally sought to know if Mr. Fru Ndi, the party’s chairman is still eligible to stand for presidential elections next year but the party officials swiftly responded that it is left for the National Convention in October for that to be decided but laid claims that the SDF is a democratic party and that its candidate for 2018 shall be selected in the most democratic manner and made known to the public come October this year.
Financial scandals equally characterized the side discussions at the just ended NEC meeting. After numerous reports by some media organs that the SDF has been receiving an annual package of FCFA 6 billion from the government, Senator Paul Hamand told The SUN that, it is no news that government gives grants to political parties in the country but refuted allegations that this money gets into the pockets of the National Chairman. “We have our bank account managed by the finance unit of the party to which our chairman is not even a member. If rumormongers of the Biya regime want to challenge the party’s accountability, they should come and audit us. We are open to it”. Senator Paul Hamand explained.
The meeting that lasted over 10 hours, brought together National executive members of the party, MPs, mayors and regional party heads to clean the house of existing problems, recognize efforts of party militants and set plans for the party’s future wellbeing. At the end of the meeting, resolutions were put forth for public consumption among which are serious concerns about the Anglophone crisis with the SDF maintaining its stand that those abducted and whisked to Yaounde be unconditionally released for peace to reign in the country.