Ni John Fru Ndi : Politician Of Appeasement!

Some may see in him an astute leader who weathered all storms to stand tall in the country’s evolving and complex political circle and others as a controversial figure who did not maintain the same verve. But the fallen Ni John Fru, the charismatic National Chairman of the opposition Social Democratic Front (SDF), was easily a politician of exceptional qualities.
The Ntarikon man, as he was fondly called, believed in change and knew that it was the only constant thing in life. This probably explains his positions vis-à-vis some issues of national interest which his detractors considered as controversial and betraying to a course.  As a staunch critique of the regime in place, John Fru Ndi throughout his 33 years of leading the SDF stood out as a leader who desired peace and would not compromise it for whatever thing. He was a peace crusader who advocated change in calm and tranquility. This was his point of convergence with the regime in place which portrayed him in the eyes of some as a traitor who derailed from his original stance and got pocketed by the Yaounde authorities. The SDF Chieftain, like the Head of State, believed in dialogue and championed it till his last day.
The meeting of the SDF Chairman with President Paul Biya in Bamenda on December 10, 2010 on the sidelines of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Armed Forces and the historic handshakes spoke volumes to the world that politics is not war. It broke the hitherto political ice as the past partisan foes, burning with the desire to give their people a better life, came together, hand-in-hand, sat and discussed face-to-face. A new dawn for civilized politicking at least for the two parties. And the visibly elated John Fru Ndi, now of blessed memory, told the press after meeting with President Paul Biya, “We agreed that the stalemate is broken and that dialogue has started. We have come together and discussions will continue.”
Even when some might have expected Ni John Fru to toe the line of secession when the crisis erupted in the restive North West and South West Regions, the SDF strongman advocated dialogue. His acceptance of the Major National Dialogue announced by President Paul Biya from September 30 – October 4, 2019, his party’s proposals tabled to the Prime Minister during pre-dialogue consultations and his active participation in the Yaounde conclave portrayed him as someone who yearned for normalcy. Little wonder when approached by the media after visiting all eight committees on Wednesday October 2, 2019, encouraging com...