Scandal Rocks SDF Over Who Controls Its Finances

Fru Ndi Boycotts Governor’s Funeral; Call- Off NEC Meeting To ‘Doctor’ AZICCUL & Avert Etienne Soukin Vs Pa Atekwana Outburst

By Tetuh Mbah

Mid this year, the opposition Social Democratic Front, SDF was rocked by allegations that its finances were not well accounted for. The scandal came almost a year after the SDF National Treasurer, Augustine Mbami died. Suspicion that it was either Fru Ndi himself, his son Achu Benjamin or Pa Joseph Atekwana who managed the finances created a scandal. Though the controversy was seemingly put to rest with last month’s elective convention, it is less so. Chronicle gathered that a National Executive Committee NEC meeting, which was planned last weekend, had to be called-off for varied reasons, one of them being to avert a scandal over the management of SDF funds. Fru Ndi himself boycotted the funeral of the brother of Governor Lele Lafrique in Babadjou.

Etienne Soukin, former mayor of Dschang was elected last October 2012 as the new national treasurer of SDF. Yet, Chronicle learnt that mayor Soukin has been questioning why he should delegate his signature to his vice treasurer, Joseph Atekwana. Chronicle further learnt that Soukin has been arguing that he resides in Dschang, which is not far-off to Bamenda, unlike his predecessor, Mbami who resided in Douala .

The Soukin-Atekwana browle, is what Chronicle learnt forced Fru Ndi to call-off last week’s NEC meeting. The conclave was intended to prepare SDF MPs ahead of the opening of the November session of parliament; the NEC meeting, Chronicle learnt would have also been explosive over the Asapngu-Mochiggle deadlock in the organizational secretary portfolio. Asapngu’s supporters have threatened to quit SDF should Fru Ndi finally settle on Mochiggle.

SDF finances have been a big subject. Members of parliament and mayors make regular contributions to the party. Even with the coming of elections, a huge chunk is expected to be doled by the state to SDF. This is what critics say is creating panic within the party.

The finance law even provides subsidy to cover operating costs of legally recognized political parties, especially to those of them that control councils and parliamentary seats.

NEC did not hold, yet Fru Ndi attended the AZICCUL extraordinary general assembly. The SDF chairman’s interest in the conclave was not clearly deciphered. Yet, Chronicle is aware that some time this year, Fru Ndi applied for a loan to finance SDF. This was rejected by Union Bank (CAMCCUL) on grounds that the body can’t finance a political party. Reason why Fru Ndi is said to have since had a grudge against the present management of CAMCCUL.

Meanwhile, Chronicle gathered that mayor Soukin is yet to yield by press time to delegate his signature to Pa Atekwana. Some critics suspect that it is a strategy by the chairman to have direct access to party funds, given that Pa Atekwana is his man and once resided with him at Ntarinkon.