By Bakah Derick
Blogger@hilltopvoices
Special Coverage of the SDF at 25
Thousands have
stormed the Bamenda Commercial Avenue to Celebrate the Silver Jubilee of
Cameroon’s most populous opposition party; The Social Democratic Front SDF. They
came from the party’s electoral districts across the North West Region and
beyond with the Littoral answering.
This Tuesday
May 26, 2015 was the grand finale of a series of events planned to celebrate
25years of power struggle started since 1990.
Enter the
Event
After his
arrival at the grand stand, Chairman Fru Ndi had a brief exchange with his
guests lead by the Secretary General of the Cameroon’s People Democratic
Movement CPDM, Jean Nkuete before heading for City Chemist Round about; a place
the SDF calls Liberty Square. The main reason for Fru Ndi’s stop at City
Chemist was to lay wreath for the Six people who died on that 26th
of May 1990 after the launching of the Party in Ntarikon Park. Upon return to
the grand stand the Chairman and his militants listened to goodwill message
from other sister parties and delegations amongst them the Union des Population
du Cameroun UPC.
The CPDM
Message
 |
| Jean Nkuete CPDM Secretary General |
The messenger
of the ruling CPDM party to the event is the Secretary General Jean Nkuete who
is at the head of a well manned delegation. He is bearer of a message from the
CPDM National Chairman Paul Biya. The message says both the CPDM and SDF have similarities
in their quest for democracy conspicuous in their names. While congratulating
the Chairman and his militants for keeping the party together for the last
25years, the message stresses the need for all to work for sustainable peace to
reign in Cameroon.
Fru Ndi’s
Silver Jubilee Message
 |
| John Fru Ndi SDF National Chairman |
For the
first 25minutes it is about thank you to all those who brought the SDF’s dream
to fulfillment. From the founding fathers, those who put their jobs with the
government on the line then those who joined the cause out of conviction at his
early stages and gave their all the chairman said thank you. For those who have
left the party or those who have been dismissed, the chairman said a special
committee has been created headed by Professor emeritus Paul Nkwi to receive
all those who are ready to return. The party is ready to take over power in
Cameroon but this has to be through the most peaceful means the Chairman said.
John Fru Ndi and the SDF he added will support Federalism as a strong tool of
accountability and justice. (Check out the full speech here soon)
SDF hands
support for Soldiers fighting Boko Haram
 |
| John Fru Ndi hands money to Governor |
One of the
events to celebrate 25years of the SDF was an interreligious service that held
Sunday 24th May 2015, in the Bamenda Congress Hall. During that come
together money expected to reach FCFA 13.7million was contributed as support
for Cameroon and Chadian soldiers currently fighting the Boko Haram insurgents
in the North of Cameroon. The final silver jubilee event attended by Northwest
Regional Governor Adolph Lele L’afrique Tchoffo Deben provided the right
opportunity for the parcel to be handed to government. In an open tray with raw
cash John Fru Ndi handed over the money to the government with a call for the
money to be used with special attention on the Chadian soldiers who to the
Chairman have greatly supported Cameroon.
The March
Pass
 |
| SDF Vanguard |
The March
pass which lasted close to an hour was a complete show of political strength by
various sectors, wards and districts of the party. From the vanguard cord (the
security cord of the party) party officials and militants clothed in different anniversary
designs marched with their right hand formed fist up a party gesture that has
come to symbolize “power to the people” which is the slogan of the SDF. Like Bafut
so was Bamenda III electoral district; the turnout was unequaled.
The event
rose at night fall with militants rushing to various joints to have a drink or
some food.