As tension heightens in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon ahead of the October 12 presidential election, Hon. Fobi Nchinda Simon, former Member of Parliament for Bamenda-Bali and Shadow Cabinet member of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), has appealed directly to armed groups to allow elections to take place.
In an emotional declaration, Hon. Fobi argued that only a change in leadership, anchored by the candidacy of Hon. Joshua Osih, can bring an end to the protracted conflict that has ravaged the two English-speaking regions for the past eight years.
“The war will continue as long as Mr. Biya is in office. Our people must conquer fear, come out and vote so that the war can be brought to an end. A vote for Joshua Osih is a vote for peace within 100 days.” Hon. Fobi Nchinda declared
Hon. Fobi Nchinda’s intervention was not only a campaign pitch but also a direct message to the fighters in the bushes. He urged them to recognise that silencing the ballot only perpetuates the conflict. Instead, he appealed for restraint and a peaceful environment in the days leading up to the polls, insisting that the ballot box represents the most viable route to ending the war.
“Our brothers who are in the bushes should make sure there is peace on that day. We must also have the courage to come out and vote away Mr. Biya. That is the only way to guarantee that peace returns to Cameroon,” he said.
The SDF candidate, Hon. Osih Joshua, has promised to declare an immediate ceasefire, initiate negotiations, and bring the crisis to the table within his first 100 days in office. For Hon. Fobi Nchinda, this is the most credible pathway to ending the conflict and addressing its root causes.
Beyond peace, Fobi outlined the core pillars of Joshua Osih’s programme including a federation to restore local autonomy, jobs to tackle mass youth unemployment, and a new social contract offering free birth certificates, free education up to secondary school, universal healthcare for children, family grants, and corruption-free governance.
He painted a grim picture of the present, noting that “70 per cent of our children are without jobs” and stressing that this reality has created fertile ground for instability. According to him, “any vote for the CPDM is a vote for more war, more corruption, and more unemployment.”
In contrast, he said, Hon. Joshua Osih’s candidacy represents “the hope of a corruption-free country, where power is returned to the people and opportunities are created for the youth.”
Hon. Fobi Nchinda ’s message is particularly striking given the climate of fear and threats surrounding the polls in the Anglophone regions. His argument is simple: preventing elections only entrenches the ruling system that armed groups claim to be fighting against.
By allowing the people to vote, he reasoned, fighters would be giving their communities the chance to bring in a leader who has pledged to negotiate with them, recognise their grievances, and redesign the state structure through a referendum on federalism.
“Joshua Osih is the only candidate who truly understands the problems of the North West and South West. He has lived them, he has worked among us, and he has the courage and vision to address them.” the former MP said
Hon. Fobi Nchinda’s credibility lies not just in his political seniority but also in his track record. As MP for Bamenda-Bali, he was reputed for his effective management of micro-project finance funds, ensuring transparency and community-driven development through committees that oversaw projects. In the National Assembly, he earned respect as a committed member of the Finance Committee, known for his diligence and rigour.
Now, as Shadow Cabinet member of the SDF, he is placing his political weight behind candidate Osih Joshua, urging voters to rise above fear and insisting that armed groups give space for the people’s will to prevail.
“There is no consensus candidate. Any such claim is political fraud. The only real choice for Cameroonians is to vote Osih Joshua and chase away the CPDM.” he concluded
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Online
Email: hilltopvoicesnewspaper@gmail.com
Tel: 6 94 71 85 77