The National Chairman of the leading opposition SDF party John Fru Ndi faced the press on the upcoming Silver Jubilee celebrations.
This was to kick-start activities to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Cameroon’s foremost opposition party, the Social Democratic Front, S.D.F., kick-started on May 16, 2015, in Yaounde with a press conference given by the National Chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi.
Backed by executives of the party, the S.D.F. Chairman engaged in a verbal tussle with pressmen on burning issues that have characterised S.D.F’s drive to ascend to power.
Pressmen first learnt that the calendar of activities organised from May 16 to 26, 2015 will feature the party’s strong presence during the 43rd National Day march past, especially in Yaounde.
An ecumenical service will hold at the Bamenda Congress Hall on May 24, 2015 in support of victims of the war against Boko Haram.
Cultural and sporting activities, a conference-debate and a clean-up campaign will precede the launch of a publication entitled, “The Untold Story” on the creation of the S.D.F. The celebration will be climaxed on May 26, 2015 with a Grand Rally at the Bamenda Commercial Avenue.
Anchoring on the celebration’s theme, “The S.D.F: 25 Years in the Struggle for Democracy and Good Governance,” Ni John Fru Ndi, in his preliminary statement, attributed the party’s survival to the members’ unwavering belief in its ideology based on social justice and equal opportunities.
He stated the need for the party to continue its struggle because Cameroonians are still confronted with many of the economic, social and political problems that plagued the country when the party was launched.
“When we launched the party some 25 years ago, the prevailing social, economic and political environment was characterised by tribalism, nepotism, favoritism, chauvinism, corruption and embezzlement,” he said.
Nevertheless, Fru Ndi was full of hope. “It is our responsibility to build a nation. We are out to set on course a nation we can be proud of, given its potentials and prospects for a bright future,” he stated, adding that it is not about an office, or ministerial portfolio.
Caught in a cross-fire of questions from pressmen, Ni John Fru Ndi reiterated the party’s preference for a strong Federal State, united in its diversity with a prosperous economy and governed by inclusive institutions.
He reaffirmed the primordial importance of party discipline, assistance of families of party martyrs, election of the Chairman through primaries and the serious commitment to the ongoing reconciliation process.
Ni John Fru Ndi ended by reaffirming the party’s support to Cameroonian and Chadian Defence Forces engaged with heroism and courage in the war against Boko Haram.