The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Front, SDF, Ni John Fru Ndi, has laid the foundation stone for the construction of the pioneer SDF party Secretariat in Cameroon, in Mifi Division of the West Region.

The foundation stone was laid on October 11, during a ceremony that was also dedicated to raise fund for the construction of the two-story building.

The Secretariat, upon completion, will host two conference halls and several offices. The project, that will cost some FCFA 80 million, is expected to be completed by December 2016. The twin ceremony brought together SDF Shadow Cabinet Ministers, Senators, Parliamentarians, Mayors, traditional and religious leaders and members of the general public.

Through the personal involvement of the SDF National Chairman, circa FCFA 5 million was raised in cash and pledges and five bags of cement.

Speeches from the First Assistant Mayor of Bafoussam II, the lone Council controlled by the SDF in Mifi Division, the Divisional Coordinator, Cyrille Ngnang, Regional Coordinator, Senator Jean Tsomelou and President of the Project Committee, Senator Paul Tchatchouang, all likened the foundation stone to the solidity of the party in the West Region.

The aforementioned personalities pledged to work harder to re-conquer all the 40 Councils and Parliamentary seats in the Region in the 2018 elections. They equally requested for the celebration of the 26th anniversary of the party to take place in the Region.

According to Senator Tchatchaoung, the choice of October 11 to lay the foundation was relevant, given that, it was the same date, 23 years ago, that the SDF was robbed of her victory. In the same vein, he said, due to massive electoral fraud during the twin elections, the number of SDF representatives dropped from 15 MPs to 1 and from 17 Mayors to 4.

“But in 2013, the SDF in the West Region came back on stage. Despite the reduced number, with determination and problems faced by the Secretariat due to rents and eviction, the idea to build a party Secretariat was imperative,” he stated.

Looking elated, the National Chairman said it was one of the happiest days of his life, given that when the party started in the West Region, many discouraged him, but… “today, the West has shown their attachment to the party and are now building the first party house. I congratulate SDF militants in the West for their spirit of togetherness. I have seen people here who were with us in 1990. This gives me courage and the strength to move on. They should remain steadfast and look forward to a bright future,” Fru Ndi said.

He said he was even more grateful for the contributions from militants, adults and children. “We are happy that we are laying a foundation stone out of our own honest means. Others do so out of stolen money. All Parliamentarians and Senators have supported and will continue to support the West Region in this project and they should know that when others will begin theirs, their support too will be needed.”

On the hosting of the 26th anniversary of the party in the West Region as requested by the militants, the Chairman said he is not going to take a commitment without discussing with the National Executive Committee, NEC members and other arms of the party.

“You know the SDF is a socialist party where we sit, discuss and agree on what to do. If it is agreed, we will certainly come, but if they are other hitches, the militants will know why,” he said. On the Boko Haram issue, Fru Ndi said the SDF is ready to discuss with Boko Haram to know what their problem in Cameroon is, because, according to him, the issue of Boko Haram can be solved.

He said President Biya and his Government have full knowledge of the perpetrators of terror in Cameroon, and having negotiated with them at least five times; Biya should have taken necessary measures to safeguard human lives. Far from being convinced by the official version, the SDF Chairman believes that there is more behind the terrorist acts.

“If Boko Haram has a problem with Fru Ndi, I ask them to come to me when I will be in Maroua … let the members of Boko Haram come to me with their problems. I’ll look for solutions.” In the meantime, the sale of some 40,000 party cards and contributions from goodwill supporters are expected to keep the work at the Secretariat going.