At the mega conference of the SDF Bamenda II Electoral District, held at the EPIC Centre Hall in Bamenda II Subdivision on Thursday, 17 July, nearly all speakers agreed on one key plea: that Amba fighters should allow the people of Bamenda and the entire Northwest to vote out the ruling CPDM party, which has failed to end the conflict ravaging the Southwest and Northwest Regions.
Welcoming delegates and special guests, the SDF Electoral District Chairman, Chi Ezekiel Nji, thanked the thousands who attended what he called the “Conference of Rebound”. He described the gathering as the last major meeting before the 12 October presidential election, which he said would propel the SDF candidate, Hon. Joshua Osih, to Etoudi.
Nji outlined strategies to unseat the incumbent, noting that, out of Bamenda II’s 55 wards, fewer than 25 are currently active. He stressed the need for reactivation, citing strong support from Senator Morchiggle Vanigansen and Hon. Fusi Namukong.
Former MP for Bamenda/Bali, Hon. Nchinda Simon, presented four key strategies to secure victory in October. He urged his colleagues and the population to defeat fear, take full control of the electoral process, engage Amba fighters, and promote dialogue over violence.
Echoing this sentiment, former Tubah/Bafut MP Hon. Wilfred Fusi declared: “We will win these elections with Amba’s cooperation. If they don’t support the SDF’s presidential bid, we will all lose. We don’t believe in guns—we believe in the ballot box and dialogue at the negotiating table.”
He criticised President Biya for declaring a war he could not end, resulting in over thousands of deaths and countless kidnappings for ransom. “He even refused Swiss mediation to resolve this nine-year crisis. Only the SDF can bring peace through talks with imprisoned leaders and armed groups,” Fusi added.
Senator Morchiggle Vanigansen vowed that “the era of stolen victories is over,” assuring Cameroonians that the SDF remains the only viable alternative to the country’s crises. “I will continue supporting Bamenda II Electoral District to the fullest,” he pledged.
Lucas Afong, Deputy Mayor of Bamenda City Council, lamented his “five wasted years” in office and joined Nji in warning ELECAM officials against colluding with the CPDM to rig the election.
Meanwhile, visiting German SDF member and outspoken critic, Paddy Asanga called out internal party rivals, urging them to “set aside differences before heading to the polls.”
In a passionate address, he asked: “After 42 years of Biya’s rule, where are the roads, electricity, clean water, and healthcare?” His speech included a moving account of a struggling market trader in Bamenda, highlighting the hardships faced by ordinary citizens.
Messages of solidarity also came from SDF chairmen in Bali, Batibo, Bamendankwe, Santa, and Bamenda III, all of whom attended the conference.