By Menyam Sibelle
The Social Democratic Front (SDF) has reaffirmed its determination to reclaim lost political ground in the North West Region as party leaders and militants gathered in Bamenda for the party’s regional conference on Saturday, July 4.
The conference brought together members of the National Executive Committee, Members of Parliament, former senators, mayors, divisional coordinators, district chairpersons and other party officials to evaluate the party’s preparedness ahead of the upcoming municipal and legislative elections.
Welcoming delegates, the Chairman of the Bamenda III Electoral District said the municipality was fully prepared to host the conference and called on the Regional Chairman to spread the message of Bamenda III’s readiness to other electoral districts.
The conference observed a minute of silence in honor of the late Bali Electoral District Chairman, Mr. Babila.
In his address, North West Regional Chairman, Mayor Fongu Cletus Tanwe, said the conference marked the beginning of a new phase of reorganisation, mobilisation , nd reconciliation aimed at strengthening the party across the region.
“We are here today because the S.D.F must regain stolen councils and parliamentary seats in the North West Region,” he said.
He urged party members to rebuild trust among themselves, reconcile with inactive militants , nd take advantage of what he described as renewed grassroots enthusiasm for the party.
Mayor Fongu further instructed all electoral districts to ensure every polling station has party representatives for both parliamentary and council elections, intensify voter registration, recruit candidates , nd hold regular meetings to reach consensus on candidates.
He also congratulated electoral districts that participated in the 2026 National Day celebrations and the party’s anniversary activities.
Speaking to journalists after the conference, the Regional Chairman said the SDF had intensified voter registration campaigns across the North West.
“In the North West, party militants have been very active on the field on voters registration, registration of new militants and those that have been transferred, and we believe that before the close of elections in August, we must have registered a greater number of the population of the North West and get them prepared to vote,” he said.
On the party’s readiness for elections, Mayor Fongu said the conference was convened to assess the preparedness of every electoral district.
“That is why we’re here, ecause we know that the elections can be called up tomorrow. We are here to evaluate the state of preparedness of the various electoral districts of the region and where we have weaknesses, we’ll immediately strengthen them and ensure that all the electoral districts in the North West Region are ready for elections,” he stated.
Responding to a question on whether other political parties should be worried by the SDF’s recent activities, Mayor Fongu maintained that the North West remains the party’s political stronghold.
“The North West is the fief of the SDF , and we’re not contesting that with any other political party. You are aware that our councils and our parliamentary seats were stolen by the CPDM. The CPDM took advantage of the crisis, and they are actually the people encouraging that the crisis should not come to an end. But this time around, our militants are prepared to vote even if there’s shooting”
The regional conference ended with renewed calls for unity, reconciliation, and intensified grassroots mobilisation as the party prepares for the next electoral cycle.
