Paul Naseri Bea, Senior Divisional Officer for Wouri has banned an Elective General Assembly of the Regional Bureau of the Social Democratic Front party (SDF) that was billed for Sunday, January 11.

The ban came amidst rising tensions within the ranks of the Littoral SDF and a battle for authority between its Littoral chairman and MP for Wouri East, Jean Michel Nincheau and the SDF National Organising Secretary, Ferdinand Asapngu.

Asapngu had convened the electoral college of the SDF in the Littoral to elect a new executive bureau in the wake of crisis rocking the party in the region.

In a release sent to all six Divisional Officers in Wouri Division, Paul Naseri stated that all meetings called for by Asapngu are illegal and hence should not be allowed in any of the sub divisions.

The SDO went on to explain in his order that only the Littoral Regional Chairman of the SDF, Jean Michel Nintcheu has authority to call for an election.

However, Elimbi Lobe, Deputy National Communication Secretary of SDF told reporters that the abortive meeting called by Asapngu is in line with Article 13(13) of the SDF constitution.

“The National Organizing Secretary of the Social Democratic Front party, Ferdinand Asapngu was to preside at the meeting to reorganize the littoral bureau which has been under reconstruction since 2013,” Lobe said.

The clash between Asapngu and Nincheau comes after Nincheau in his capacity as Littoral SDF Chief Executive chaired a disciplinary meeting on January 4, in which three members of the party were handed down suspensions from the party.

Jean Marc Bouanjo Yepndo and David Nyassi were suspended for five years, while Adolphe Same Lottin was expelled for six years for acts of indiscipline.

Those sanctioned immediately sent protest letters to the hierarchy of the party, reason why the National Organizing Secretary of the party was sent to look into the situation and propose lasting solutions.

After his investigations, Asapngu did not return to his boss to file in his findings but rather signed a release annulling the decision by the President of Littoral Regional Bureau, Nincheau; a decision that has been interpreted variedly by the top brass of the SDF.

In the release made public January 5, the former mayor of Kumba II said due to the fact that the regional bureau of Littoral is under reconstruction and following article 13(13) of the SDF statutes, resolutions of the National Executive Committee, NEC, of February 2013 and January 25, June 7 and August 30, 2014, suspended all disciplinary measures within the Littoral SDF until the reorganisation process grinds to an end.

Asapngu reminded the regional boss that he has been noted for using guards to prevent other members from using the party hall in Douala through intimidation.

In a phone chat with the Cameroon Journal, the National Chairman of the SDF party, John Fru Ndi, expressed surprise on the decision taken by Asapngu.

“He (Asapngu) was sent to investigate and not to sanction, nobody apart from the National Executive Committee, NEC, has the right to sanction the other from the party for five years or six years. Only NEC has such powers. Even when NEC does, those concerned have a right to appeal.”

The SDF chieftain said both Nincheau and Asapngu were wrong in their actions. He suggested that an investigative body will be sent to the Littoral where the persons sanctioned will have to be heard and NEC makes its final decision. The delegation, he said, will be headed by Senator Tsomelou Jean.

Hon. Osih, SDF’s Vice Chair, also distanced himself from the actions of Asapngu, stating that neither Asapngu nor Nincheau are right in the matter, advising that the party’s text be respected.