BaretaNews can now reveal that Senator Etienne Sonkin from the Western Region intends to reportedly challenge Ni John Fru Ndi for the SDF Chairmanship come February 2017 extraordinary congress. Succession in the SDF, as well as the CPDM, has somewhat been a taboo.

The majority of SDF, as well as CPDM militants, see John Fru Ndi and Paul Biya respectively as their natural candidates. Any other supporter of a candidate is seen as a destabilization factor to both parties. In fact, people cannot freely talk of succession within these two parties. Both parties it seems are not even talking about it.

Media organizations who happened to talk about a change in the SDF are often met with scorn. Joshua Osih, first Vice-Chairman of the SDF after Fru Ndi has reportedly come under serious backlash from party militants who thought Osih is playing a game to steal the SDF leadership.

However, a certain proportion of SDF militants is reportedly not happy with the leadership of the party. It is, however, safe to say that Ni John Fru Ndi still has significant support amongst SDF militants.
Senator Etienne Sonkin has been quoted as saying: “I am not excluded in the list of those who intend to run against the Chairman. You have mentioned all the names of those who want to replace Chairman John Fru Ndi except mine. I am free to have ambitions. I was in charge of the party at the regional level, I was Treasurer of the SDF, I was mayor of the town of Dschang and I am currently the elected Senator of the SDF.”

It should be recalled that a good section of SDF militants from the Western Region (Bamilike) thinks it should be their turn to lead the party after heavily financially investing in the party.
2017 SDF congress would be interesting to watch as it shall designate the flag bearer of the party.

God is still saying something.