The newly elected national chairman of the Social Democratic Front (SDF) party, Joshua Osih Nambangi, is inheriting an opposition party which, many think, needs an urgent revival.
One of the critical issues Osih must address is the legacy of Article 8.2 of the SDF’s constitution. This infamous clause had torn the party apart, leading to the departure of some of its members. Osih must work to heal the divisions and reunite the party’s fractured base.
Che Evans, a political analyst, emphasises the importance of rejuvenating the SDF by “bringing in more young people.” The opposition’s appeal has been waning among Cameroonians, and Osih needs to rekindle the enthusiasm that the SDF once generated.
The SDF’s challenge is to recapture the spirit of the 1990s, when it emerged as a symbol of hope for many Cameroonians. In recent years, however, that hope has faded, as seen in the party’s dwindling electoral performance.
Since the 1990s, the SDF has experienced a significant decline, with its parliamentary seats shrinking from 47 in the 1997 legislative election to only five in the 2020 legislative election. In 2018, the party had 14 elected senators, but in 2023, it will have only one appointed senator. Observers note that the SDF’s performance has gone from bad to worse.
“The new leadership will have to rebuild confidence among the Cameroonian people and change the poor results they have had over the years,” says Pa Ndi, a political observer.
Another pressing task for Osih is to expand the SDF’s presence, particularly in its birthplace, Bamenda. Out of the 34 councils in the North West region, the SDF currently controls just one. Gaining more support at the grassroots level will be crucial for the party’s resurgence.
Despite receiving 985 votes out of the 1,565 valid votes cast during the election, Osih faced a significant challenge in the North and Far North regions, where delegates openly expressed their disapproval by voting for his challengers, such as Shewa Jestel. Osih’s victory might depend on his ability to collaborate with these challengers, including Gordon Zama, to unify the party and address the concerns of its members.
Joshua Osih faces a formidable task in leading the SDF and reviving its appeal among the Cameroonian people. The success of his leadership will hinge on his ability to mend internal divisions, engage the youth, rebuild the party’s image, and gain more support at the local level. It’s a challenging journey, but if Osih can accomplish these goals, the SDF might find itself back on the path to political relevance.
