Journalists rikindle memories of Ni John Fru Ndi in fight for multiparty politics and press freedom
By Vera Fon
Several Journalists have poured out tributes in memory of the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Front, SDF, Ni John Fru Ndi in his fight for multiparty politics and liberalisation of the audiovisual media sector in Cameroon.
The opposition leader since 1990 and multiple times Presidential candidate died at the age of 82 from a prolonged illness on Monday June 12, 2023.
The SDF chairman was hailed by media persons for his role in the fight for the return multiparty politics, defending the people’s interest, liberty laws that brought about press freedom and many other achievements.
“Ni John Fru Ndi fought for return of multiparty politics, liberty laws that brought about free press from the hitherto censorship, fought for electoral reforms, fought corruption, etc” Doh Bertrand Managing Editor of The Guardian Post newspaper said.
“I think Cameroon has lost one of her monumental political figure,with the advent of multiparty politics, Fru Ndi succeeded in proving that, it’s all about the people’s welfare and defending the people’s interest. I remember Pa Ni John to be a vocal man, a politician who stood for the truth, a man who could criticize and applaud when it’s good. Though,going he’s regret remains, that of seeing his people continuing dying amidst the,Anglophone crisis,” Mboh Brian, a reporter for The Herald Tribune noted.
Nformi Sunday of The Post Newspaper stated that Fru Ndi has brought about press freedom in the country and fought for democracy.
“As a media practitioner, I think we can give Ni John Fru Ndi the credit for the level of press freedom we have today, it may not be the way we want it but he contributed much to the little we have. Also in the aspect of democracy I think if we have some democratic institutions today, it is thanks to the pressure that came from the SDF party spearheaded by the Chaiman” Nformi Sunday explained.
Nformi went further to say that Fru Ndi had some shortcomings which is normal for everyone especially as a leader.
“Sometimes he is always very harsh, speaks without considering your feeling, but I feel this is normal and understandable because when you lead many people, at times it’s good to go the hard way” he said
Before his death the founder and leader of the SDF party since May 1990 had announced he was going to step down as party chairman during the convention slated on July 28 and 29.
