Bamenda defies lockdown, accord corpse of Ni John Fru Ndi a dignified reception

By David Atangana

The uncertainty that engulfed Bamenda, headquarters beginning Thursday July 27,2023 finally ward off with Chairman Fru Ndi’s remains received with the pump and pageantry reserved for a man of his statue.

A faction of the separatist Ambazonia movement had declared a lockdown to frustrate the funeral of late Ni John Fru Ndi, leader of the opposition SDF party.

On Thursday July 28,the town was more uncertainty until the eleventh hour.

The population could not wait to be told what their hearts were.

Though with empty streets void of economic activities and circulation,the population poured out on the streets and some junctions as the convoy conveying the corpse of the late statesman cruised into the regional headquarters of the North West region.

It was a sad moment and at the same time a celebration of the life of a man who spent a greater part of his life fighting for change and equal opportunities in Camerooon.

“Rest in peace”, “Go well”,”Bye bye Papa power” were overheard from the huge crowds that gathered at major points and eventually at the Bamenda commercial avenue grandstand.

From a rally at the Bamenda grandstand to, Musang Presbyterian church and at his Ntarinkon residence,it was all eulogies to a man who has created a vaccum that will likely be difficult to fill.

This Saturday July 29,2023 his remains have been transported to his native Baba II village in Santa, Mezam division of the North West region.

With a disappointment from public transport buses hired to ease the transportation of sympathisers and mourners,many resorted to motorcycles to accompany Chairman Fru Ndi to his final resting place to meet his ancestors.

He will be interred later today after a funeral service in his ancestral home.