After Abakar Ahamat: Is Fru Ndi Lobbying To ‘Pocket’ New NW Governor?

The SDF Chairman Boycotted May 20^th But Attended Lele Lafrique’s Visit/Reception in Bamenda

By Tetuh Mbah

Ni John Fru Ndi, is a household name in the history of Cameroon’s democracy. This is the man who braved all odds, to launch the Social Democratic Front, SDF in 1990 in Bamenda. This was at a time multiparty politics was seen as an aberration. CPDM apostles marched against it and held a mass at the Yaounde metropolitan cathedral. Yet, Biya came a few days later to caution his militants to be ready for eventual competition. Fru Ndi has put up a towering personality thereafter. Yet, last week, he created the unexpected. Having boycotted May 20^th manifestations in Yaounde and Bamenda respectively, Fru Ndi took his seat at the Bamenda grandstand last July 5, 2012 during the mere maiden visit of Governor Lele Lafrique to Mezam. To commentators, Fru Ndi just had to set a trap: that given his cordial relationship with the outgone governor, Abakar Ahamat, the SDF chairman thus had the opportunity for continuity to reign supreme.

Fru Ndi was at the Bamenda grandstand and sat beside Fon Angwafor III of Mankon, vice National President of CPDM. But as Chronicle noticed, Fru Ndi was not duly given the status he deserves.

Fru Ndi’s Sitting Position Changed

During the installation of Adolph Lele Lafrique last March 22, 2012, Fru Ndi’s sitting position was improved. He did not sit beside Fon Angwafor at the tail but was moved to be beside Prof Tafah Edokat, Vice Chancellor of the University of Bamenda. This was just two places after the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, Rene Emmanuel Sadi.

Yet, last week, Fru Ndi was placed at the tail-end of the front roll again beside Fon Angwafor. He was separated from the UBa VC, by Prof Fru Angwafor III - Director of the Gynaeco-obstetric hospital Yaounde and Secretary General in the Ministry of Public Health. Then, there was Hon Paul Nji Tumasang of Santa before Fru Ndi. It is believed that if Hon Simon Nchinda Fobi, who was abroad at the time on medical check-up was around, Fru Ndi might have been relegated to the back seat.

Ntarinkon long boycotted May 20^th celebrations in Yaounde, where he was reserved an auspicious seat and in Bamenda too. When the chairman effectively appeared at the Bamenda grandstand last July 5, on the governor’s maiden tour to Mezam, commentators were taken aback.

Fru Ndi was not only at the grandstand. Chronicle was told that his invitation limited him only to the grandstand and the reception at Ayaba hotel. Reason why he was not present at the working session, which as Chronicle gathered, was a routine. Regional delegates had to present their roadmaps before a question/answer session ensued.

The SDF chairman’s presence at the grandstand and Ayaba hotel reception had since been interpreted varyingly. Accordingly, because it was one of those rare occasions that saw Fru ndi at the grandstand and at Ayaba; it was not for nothing.

Chronicle was told that given the entente which Fru Ndi created with the outgone governor (Abakar), there had been need for continuity. Accordingly, for Fru Ndi to have been present all day long was not by accident. It is believed that the working relationship he had with Abakar, should be continued under Governor Lele Lafrique.

It is even on record that Fru Ndi acclaimed the fact that his meeting with President Paul Biya on December 10, 2010 was thanks to Abakar. Thus with him gone, Chronicle has been told that there has been the need for a liaison/continuation of the relationship: reason why Fru Ndi was not only present at the grandstand but at Ayaba hotel for the reception to concretize the deal.