Speaking following his endorsement as candidate of the Social Democratic Front, SDF party for the forthcoming 2025 Presidential election, the SDF Chairman promised his supporters and the larger Cameroonian population that he is determined to fearlessly walk his way into the Unity Palace and strive in building a Cameroon that is united and prosperous is handed the command baton.
The Social Democratic Front party, SDF, has officially endorsed Hon. Joshua Osih as its candidate for the 2025 presidential election. His nomination was confirmed through a unanimous acclamation during the party’s Extraordinary Convention held at the Yaoundé Multipurpose Sports Complex las Saturday March 1. Speaking in his acceptance speech after the endorsement, Osih tackled several issues which he said he will fix if elected president notably the ongoing Anglophone crisis and economic disparities.The SDF Chairman insisted in his speech that Cameroon is “not a poor country. We are a country made poor by bad leadership,” in what pundits say was a general zoom into governance challenges that have continued affecting the nation’s development.
The SDF boss said if elected, he will build a Cameroon that is united, dynamic and prosperous for all Cameroonians irrespective of their religious and social backgrounds. “I accept this with humility, with gratitude and with unshakeable determination to fight for a better future for us all. Tonight, I am not speaking to you as a politician. I speak to you as a father, a brother and a son. Just like you, I am a Cameroonian with dreams of a country that works for its people,” the Chairman said. “…I have travelled across this country. I have seen the tears of mothers burying their sons, the frustration of young graduates with no jobs and the exhaustion of fathers who cannot feed their families, the agony of communities destroyed by war and neglect,” the SDF national boss further stated in a speech that appeared to have resonated with supporters and reinforced the party’s commitment to systemic change. Osih’s address also specifically touched on several other key aspects of the party’s political agenda.
It tackled the party’s plans to handle the crisis in the North West and South West regions within 100 days, improve the living conditions in the Far North within a year, and implement institutional reforms within a three-year framework. The agenda also proposes asset declaration for public officials, the removal of ethnic references from official documents, free identity cards, free primary and secondary education, and the elimination of fixed security checkpoints along major highways. Osih, in the speech, equally extended his vision beyond party lines, urging all Cameroonians, regardless of ethnicity, language, or region, to support his leadership in shaping a united and progressive nation. He pledged to prioritize empowerment for women, economic opportunities for workers, farmers, and entrepreneurs, and encouraged the diaspora to contribute to the nation’s development. The convention brought together SDF delegates from all 10 regions of Cameroon, as well as representatives from the diaspora.
SDF bigwigs said the gathering served as a demonstration of the party’s commitment to its political program, not only for the 2025 presidential election but also for the 2026 municipal and legislative elections. The event saw the participation of several political figures, including opposition leaders Anise Ekane, Cabral Libii, and Denis Emilien Atangana of the FDC. The ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM, was represented by Central Committee member Baden Dangandinga, while former presidential candidate Barrister Akere Muna was also in attendance. Muna emphasized the importance of each opposition party consolidating its base before potential coalition discussions could take place. As the SDF begins its campaign efforts, the party’s authorities say the group aims to mobilize national support while addressing voter concerns.
With his nomination confirmed, observers say Osih now enters the next phase of rallying support nationwide, engaging communities, and strengthening the party’s presence ahead of the 2025 elections. The political landscape leading up to the election remains dynamic, with opposition parties and analysts closely observing the SDF’s strategies. The upcoming months will be critical in determining the extent of support Osih and the SDF can garner as they prepare to challenge the ruling party’s long-standing dominance in Cameroon’s political arena.
