Calm has returned to the city after pro-Cpdm and innocent Cameroonians were victims of skirmishes caused by the Sdf chairman when he refused to follow police advice on his return last Wednesday to his political base.
The incident in Bamenda proved the reggae star, Bob Marley right when he sang, “You can fool some people sometimes but you cannot fool all the people all the time.” The population which has been manipulated by the “Ntarikon strongman,” refused to continue the four hour showdown with forces of law and order. Fru Ndi, second in the October poll, returned in dismay to town like a hunter who comes home without game after a long stay in the forest. Instead of admitting his inefficiency to chase for votes, he played the “local hero” joker card. Bamenda againThe town was back to its dirty past of molestation and destruction of private as well as public property. Barricades were erected in town with tree trunks, car wrecks and other roadside kiosks. Our correspondent says a group of young people (between 14 and 16), calling for the resignation of President Biya engaged in breakage. PMUC kiosks were ransacked. He also said the demonstrators were engaged in stone throwing-windscreens and several vehicles were destroyed. As if this was not enough, these young people forced all the traders to close their shops and rush home. Security forces, specifically the gendarmerie, the police and military, descended on the city to disperse the demonstrators using tear gas. The leading opposition leader was on his game- incite violence. Although some denizens were excited as the population braced up for a show down, others condemned it. “All the opposition does is incite violence. Bamenda is taking itself back to primitive times by always burning down what they have,” Che Adamu said. . According to a police source, the protesters wanted to burn the platform built on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the army celebrated end last year. It was the peace threatening Bamenda Fru Ndi wanted to see. What went wrong?The forces of law and order on the instructions of the governor of the North West, Abakar Ahamat were to canalise Fru Ndi from Up station to his Ntarikon residence but he defied these dispositions. He also rejected police escort’s suggestion, asking him to pass through the Ayaba street. He refused the advice saying “I cannot accept to be guided in my city,” he moved on foot from Vetenary junction – Sonac Street – City chemist, to his residence. This caused untold stampede as his supporters and “activists” tried to get a glimpse of him. A moving Toyota Rav 4 car hit a commercial motorist, Jeremiah who was trying to make his way in the middle of the crowd-the owner was copiously beaten and his car set on fire while the “Okadaman” was transported to the regional hospital where he is receiving treatment. The car owner is alleged to have questioned “who is Fru Ndi” in French and Fru Ndi’s belligerent supporters known to be intolerant were ready to lynch him but for the timely intervention of the forces of law and order. Double standardsFru Ndi will be quick to play the chameleon and wash off his hands, from his Ntarikon residence he called for calm. He had earlier said on Tuesday that Sdf “took cognizance of the proclamation of results by the Constitutional Council in favour of the incumbent,” but speaking in Bamenda a day later, Fru Ndi seemed to have changed. “When I said that I took note of the outcome of the Supreme Court, people believed that endorsed the elections but it is not case, I’m just saying that I take note that this institution has validated a process,” Fru Ndi told BBC. A few days before proclamation of results, he was part of a coalition called to “protest” the results. We he noticed how unpopular the move was, he later said “I have not asked people to send their children to walk in the street, I said they should demonstrate against this election and I John Fru Ndi lead the way “. Two weeks to the close of the Voters’ register, Fru Ndi called on supporters of his party to register after he had refused them not to registering for eight months earlier.
JUDE VIBAN,
