WHY I DISAGREE WITH PROF. ABETY OVER FRU NDI (Part 2 of 2)

WHY I DISAGREE WITH PROF. ABETY OVER FRU NDI (Part 2 of 2) Prof Abety states that “the celebrated South African Bishop Desmond Tutu and other dignitaries also visited the Chairman (…) and tried in vain to convince him to dialogue with the President”. But if Fru Ndi can turn down a proposal from such a celebrity, then should he not be saluted for toughness? The Prof. contends: “As Anglophone elite I am convinced that the whole idea of the SDF, perceived nationwide as an Anglophone party, is a fundamental error.” Here he has got it all wrong because that perception of the SDF was before and no longer now. On the whole, the SDF has successfully established itself as a national rather than a regional party. That is why it has dominated other opposition parties for so long. When I was at CRTV Television, I covered vote counting at the Supreme Court in Yaounde and saw for myself to what extent the SDF had integrated itself in the nation. If you doubt it, look at their work in the National Assembly and since recent times, the Senate. Some years ago, when still with CRTV I was designated as the English Desk journalist to travel with the chairman during his two-week tour of the South Region, I was able to measure the extent of his popularity in a region which is indisputably Paul Biya`s fief. At one point, the chairman asked us journalists whether since we hit the road we had seen any remarkable landmarks along the road. He said those were some of the wrongs he wanted to right in his political career. Prof. Abety mentions realism and urges everyone to belong to the CPDM because it is: “the majority party in Cameroon and that’s where we need to belong if we want to participate in decision making in Cameroon”. By saying that, the Prof. seems to dismiss the SDF as irrelevant. He also reminds me of the CPDM campaign officials who warn Cameroonians that if they do not vote for the CPDM, the government would not extend development to them. Why so? The CPDM needs to go back to the drawing board. The party is beset with problems which undermine its strength.As we approach 2018, the date for the next presidential election, nobody can tell exactly what can happen. Biya may step down before then. He may equally wait until then and step down. The real force behind the CPDM is Biya himself. If he goes naturally or otherwise, the CPDM may be in disarray. If the SDF plays its cards right, it can step in and win the sympathy of the people. Perhaps Prof. Abety and other members of the CPDM should study this possibility very carefully. THE END