Cameroon’s laws do not allow anyone to run for president as an independent. That means every presidential hopeful must come in under a legally recognized political party. Since Akere Muna made known his intentions to run for president, there has been a lot of speculation concerning the political umbrella he would use. Even though he still hasn’t disclosed the political party he would be using, his recent move gives us certain hints and answers the question that has been on most people’s lips concerning this year’s presidential elections - ‘Where is Kah Wallah?’
Akere has taken a more strategic approach to gathering support for his NOW movement by creating what they are calling the “Platform for a New Republic.”
In a January 15th meeting between Akera and other political actors, an agreement was signed between Akere and 8 other signatories (political parties) designating Akere Muna as their presidential candidate. Notable signatories are Alice Sadio, the president of L’Alliance des Forces Progressistes (AFP). The AFP is the party under which Akere Muna’s brother Bernard Muna ran for president in the 2011 presidential elections.
Per the agreement, none of the political parties represented will be bringing forth another presidential candidate to challenge Akere. This agreement also extends to municipal, regional, legislative, and senatorial elections where all parties that are signatories will collectively present and campaign for a single candidate in all constituencies.
Akere has been the most active of the presidential hopefuls even though his campaign has not yet stirred the public. In this move, Akere is displaying his power and ability to pull support from different angles of the country. The Platform for a New Republic is however not a political party so Akere will still have to pick one among the signatories. I wonder how that is going to play out.
Any-Ha!
When I looked at pictures from the signing event, one thing caught my attention. Something which I find very disturbing. It appears a couple of champagne bottles lost their corks after the signatures hit paper. The last time I checked, all that champagne is probably coming from France but that is besides the point.
I ask myself if these politicians actually understand the significance of this particular election in Cameroon. I wonder what they were celebrating.
I read the story of the army that after winning a battle went back to base, got wasted on alcohol and prostitutes only to be slain in their sleep by the enemy they were to take on the following day.
I think we Cameroonians play too much. I believe the nature of the problems facing the new president calls for this campaign to be treated like church. Not church as in the catholic priest sharing in the champagne popping but church as in how church ideally should be - a solemn exercise. I was hoping after such an event, there should be a moment of silence and meditation, a spiritual exercise to prepare for a battle that is not going to be easy. What I see however, is a lack of respect for the task ahead.
I want to assume Akere is not the architect of the celebratory champagne but as the president to be, I would have been more excited about his candidacy if he had taken the floor to ask his mates to “leave the bottles for when we see victory in the ultimate battle.”
Many would not see what I am saying here to be relevant and will dismiss the champagne popping as insignificant but to me, just like when I pointed out the gap between the C and the M in the URL on the sign hanging at the entrance to the prime ministers office, I will leave you with these quotes:-
It is the small things in life which count; it is the inconsequential leak which empties the biggest reservoir. -Charles Comiskey
Courage - you develop courage by doing small things like just as if you wouldn't want to pick up a 100-pound weight without preparing yourself. - Maya Angelou
Even the largest avalanche is triggered by small things. -Vernor Vinge
Stay faithful in things large and taking on the world, but stay faithful in those things small - because remember it's the small things, the size of a mustard seed, that ultimately moves mountains. - Cory Booker
It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen. -John Wooden
Notice the small things. The rewards are inversely proportional - Liz Vassey
For the person for whom small things do not exist, the great is not great - Jose Ortega y Gasset
One sees great things from the valley; only small things from the peak. - Gilbert K. Chesterton
I think the success around any product is really about subtle insights. You need a great product and a bigger vision to execute against, but it's really those small things that make the big difference. - Chad Hurley
It's through the small things that we develop our moral imagination, so that we can understand the sufferings of others. - Alexander McCall Smith
The most successful detectives owe their success to noticing small signs. - Robert Baden-Powell
- Tino Foy