It’s hard to pinpoint how John Fru Ndi, or ‘Ni’ as he was known fondly since his youthful days, will be remembered, as his imprint on Cameroonian politics cannot be underestimated.
Perhaps more famously known as ‘Chairman’ since the return of multiparty politics in the 1990s – when his Social Democratic Front (SDF) became the main opposition party in the country – his political mannerisms included a steady fist in the air at every political rally.
With fist thrust out, the Chairman often chanted the powerful and empowering slogan of “power to the people”, his party’s slogan and vehicle to prominence.
Colourful linguist
He was a colourful character as well – literally. Ni adored dressing up in colorful traditional garb from his North West region of origin, just as he delivered public speeches in pidgin English which earned him the applause and acclamation of citizens, grassroots
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