The opposition Social Democratic Front, SDF party, has said it is mapping out strategies to win back the Fundong Council in Boyo Division of the Northwest Region, which it lost to the ruling CPDM party.

The Chair of the Fundong Electoral District of the SDF, Honore Ngam, declared the resolution of the party during a district conference that took place in Fundong recently.

The party that had been calling the shots at the Fundong Council since 1996 lost it to the ruling CPDM party in the September 30, 2013 elections. The CPDM now has a majority of 19 Councillors, while the SDF has only six.

Ngam said the marriage of both parties has been stormy. He accused the CPDM hierarchy in the Council of marginalising and sidelining SDF Councillors in the management of Council affairs. To him, peaceful co-existence of both parties in the Council is vital for the development of the municipality.

Ngam, a lawyer by profession, argued that CPDM leaders should not be oblivious to the fact that only 196 votes separated both parties at the last Municipal elections. He attributed the SDF’s narrow loss to the CPDM during in the Fundong District internal wrangling. According to him, the ongoing reconstruction and reconciliation in the district will help the SDF regain dominance in Fundong politics. “It is, therefore, imperative for both parties to put aside party politics and work for the interest of the community,” he said.

During the conference, the Regional Chairman of the SDF and MP for the Boyo Constituency, Hon. Evaristus Njong, called on delegates to revisit the objectives for which the SDF was created in 1990 and focus on the fight for change in Cameroon.

He urged SDF Councillors present at the conference to avoid local squabbles that could compromise the successful achievement of the party’s objective. He called on participants to remain faithful and steadfast in the struggle for the economic and political liberation of Cameroon.

Meanwhile, the Councillors present condemned the leadership lapses at the Fundong Council in the last 12 months, citing the recent recruitment of youth for holiday jobs.

They questioned the criteria for selection and opined that most of the children selected were the children of CPDM militants and not underprivileged children. They deplored the fact that they are often sidelined in Council affairs.

During the working session, there was a presentation on strengthening of wards which constitute the foundation of the SDF party; meanwhile, other organs of the party, such as the Socialist Women and the Socialist Youth of the party were implored to revamp their activities for the growth of the party.