By Washira Helene
Two days after news of the death of the Social Democratic Front chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi rocked Cameroon and the international community, many are yet to make sense of what has happened and how it will impact the future of the country’s political landscape.
Ni John Fru Ndi who has been Chairman of the SDF since its creation in 1990, went against many a grain to establish himself as an indelible figure in Cameroon politics to the extent that many describe him as the “father of Cameroon democracy”.
It, therefore, is no surprise that it has been raining eulogies since news of his demise was announced in the early hours of Tuesday. Both the old and young have not stopped mourning him based on his personality and achievements.
“One thing I learned from you is consistency and persistence. It’s been a tough ride where the good the bad and the ugly were the case but you fought a good fight. Rest in power legend,” Ngwemba Favour-Great wrote on MMI.
The late politician was also praised for his consistency in holding the current government to account, whenever he had the opportunity.
“Ni John was one of the fearless opposition leaders who openly criticized Biya and his government on many occasions both at national and international levels. He was an opposition leader with “charisma” as many described him. He had never failed to call up the Biya regime anytime it was failing the people,” another MMI follower commented.
For some Ni John Fru Ndi has done enough to earn a prestigious place in Cameroon’s history books
“Pa go well. You fought a good political fight, protecting your own, and were not willing to let your own suffer. Your name goes down the political archives as one of Cameroon’s best and will be forever a hero. History bears me witness. Things might not have turned out as you expected but your voice was the voice of the people. Go well, Daddy,” said Nditewoh Simon.
Some went to the extent of stating that Cameroon would have been a better country if the ruling party was SDF with Ni John as president.
“I remember the early years when you started fighting to take over power. I saw genuine intentions in your act. You were someone who had the interest of Cameroonians at heart and had shown it on several occasions. You were loved and Cameroon would’ve been better with you at its head,” Ngem Julius commented.
For most Cameroonians however, the worry is whether Ni John has left behind a worthy successor who can fill his big boots. This question is even more poignant as the 2025 presidential elections are approaching and political commentators are of the view that it is likely to be the watershed movement in the over four decades of Biya rule.
This led many to ask searching questions, despite knowing that Ni John had stepped down as the party’s presidential candidate:
“Where are you going to sir when the real fight is to begin in 2025 with SDF taking over power?” Ngome Ekwoge Elvis querried.
Despite the many human and political challenges that Ni John faced as a leader, including the so many times he failed to unseat the Biya regime, he never gave up. This could be the reason why many Cameroonians feel that someone of similar resilience is needed to enter into the political landscape which is shaky at best.
