Launch of Campaigns in Southwest: Musonge urges CPDM to be cautious of local realities as they campaign

 Paul Elung Che, ASG at Presidency encouraging dancers at  CPDM campaign launching in Buea

By Christopher Ambe

The Head of CPDM Southwest Regional Campaign Committee has implored members of the ruling party to carry out campaigns for the February 9 parliamentary and municipal elections with all seriousness in order to ensure overwhelming victories for their candidates.

Ex-Prime Minister Peter Mafany Musonge made the call last Saturday, January 25 while launching electoral campaign at the Buea Independence Square.

The party is competing for the Region’s 15 parliamentary seats and 31 councils (which gives a total of 897 councilors). 

 Musonge said the party’s would-be MPs and Councilors are people “of substance who are determined to defend the values of peace, unity, justice, tolerance and living together”

He urged  the candidates to realize that they are now the flag bearers of the ruling party.

“Accordingly, [the candidates] must involve physically and materially in the electoral campaign; you should mobilize family members, friends and sympathizers for the campaign”, he threw the challenge. 

“The stakes are really high and no one should stay behind, for our party’s challenge is to have   a comfortable majority in the National Assembly and in the councils”

But the regional campaign head, seemingly alluding to threats by separatists that they would disrupt elections, cautioned the candidates: “Skillfully combine rallies and door-to door actions, taking in to account local realities in our respective divisions.”

He called on militants to sink their differences, work as a team and carry out the campaigns in team spirit, in order to attain their objective of winning with flying colors.

The  campaign coordinator  urged militants to “adequately cover the media landscape; use the social media- whatsapp, sms Facebook, etc” to woo voters with the manifestoes.

Musonge said the implementation of recommendations of the Major National Dialogue, was proof that President Biya is ready to give peace and development a chance.

“The implantation of the new decentralization policy will give more power and resources to our councils; the implementation of the Special Status for the Northwest and Southwest regions will, among other things, lead to the creation of the Regional l House of Assembly, and House of   chiefs.” he said,  also mentioning  the enhancement of  Cameroon ‘s bilingualism.

He also hinted about Government’s resolve to rehabilitate and develop of the CDC, PAMOL and SOWEDA.

The ex-PM urged   militants and sympathizers to massively turn out and “vote for our candidates, with the strong hope of victory inside you”, adding that “our leader and Head of State is watching and waiting to see us defend our party.”

 Musonge used the rally to hail Southwest Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai for his sustained efforts to ensure peace and normalcy return to region.

Other speakers from the different wings of the CPDM such as Buea Section President Mafany Namanga, took turns to praise the ruling party and its national chairman for efforts to enhance development and modernize the country.

Members of Government who accompanied  the ex-PM to launch the CPDM  regional  campaign included Paul Elung Che,Assistant  Secretary-General at The Presidency; Victor Arrey Mengot, Minister of Special Duties; Paul Tasong,Minister Delegate in MINEPAT and Prof  Nalova Lyonga,Minister of Secondary Education.

There are three parties contesting elections in the Southwest Region-the CPDM, the SDF and the CDP.