This happened on the 26th of May 2015 during the celebrations
marking the Social Democratic Front (SDF’s) 25 years of existence (26th
May 1990 to 26th May 2015). The SDF during celebrations also called
on the government of H.E Paul BIYA to introduce credible election reforms by
switching over to the biometric and single ballot election system with two
rounds in the presidential elections. Remarking that when they suggested
federation, the Minister of territorial administration invented decentralization
which has failed and remarked the public knows where that Minister is now. After
briefly being welcomed at the Bamenda grandstand and cheered by the Aghem
traditional dance led by Mrs Enwe from Wum, Menchum Division, the SDF chieftain
proceeded in a convoy to Liberty Square commonly known as City Chemist
Roundabout where he laid a wreath in memory of the six who died on the 26th
of May 1990 when the SDF was launched. The six who died which Ni John Fru Ndi
later again again paid tribute to during his silver jubilee speech were; Juliette Sikot, Fidelis Chosi, Edwin Nfon,
Mathias Tiful, Christopher Asanji and Evaristus Toje.
The Bamenda Commercial Avenue was full to its capacity with militants,
friends and well-wishers of the party. Some of the top officials and guests at
the occasion were; the governor of the North West region Mr. Lele L’Afrique
Adolf, Secretary General AFAC, the Secretary General of the Cameroon’s People
Democratic Movement (CPDM) H.E. Jean Kueté, the Sultan of the Bamouns H.E
Ibrahim Mbombo Njoya, who was the then Minister of territorial administration
at the time SDF filed its documents and who said at one time that Ni John Fru
Ndi had escaped to Nigeria, the Secretary General of Union des Peuples Camerounais
also in his speech cried “ autorités administratives, madame et Monsieur il fallait donner un nom particulier à Bamenda, ce Bamenda le mystère du Cameroun,
Bamenda se cette ville au est neé Nde Ntumazah, le père du one Cameroun, un grand leader de Union
des Populations du Cameroun cette partir qui à lutter pour l’independence de
notre pays, Bamenda ce la ville au est neé RDPC ce parti qui pour nous autre…Bamenda
se cette grande ville qui à vue naitre du Ni John Fru Ndi, Ni John Fru Ndi est
dans sa main un parti politique le Social Democratic Front…”
H.E. Jean Nkueté congratulated Ni John Fru Ndi and his party militants
for their contributions to the growth of Cameroon.
In his speech Ni John Fru Ndi started by thanking the Almighty God for
permitting him to be alive and celebrating the silver jubilee of the launching
of the SDF. He specially welcomed H.E. Minister Jean Nkueté and members of his
delegation, members of AFAC and all those who came from home and abroad, sister
political parties UNDP, UPC etc and friendly delegations that came to join in
the celebrations. He also paid homage to the ten founding fathers of the SDF
party and indicated that only four are still alive.
The celebrations ended with match past posted here already on our blog
and the symbolic cutting of the anniversary cake. Kudos to Hon. Awudu Mbaya,
Member of Parliament for Donga Mantung and Questor at the National Assembly who
headed the organizing committee of the celebrations and members of his team He was
conspicuously present and active in the celebrations and he and his team takes
credit for the success recorded.
Coni T. Tawong
