Cameroon has reported the death of one of its mean political figures, John Fru Ndi, who passed away at the age of 82.

John Fru Ndi established the opposition Social Democratic Front (SDF) in 1990 and pushed for multi-party democracy in Cameroon, defending English-speaking minority rights in the country.

A press statement from his SDF party confirmed that the Cameroonian political icon died in the capital, Yaoundé, on Monday evening after he struggled with a long term illness.

“It is with sadness that we announce the transition into eternal glory of the national president of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), Ni John Fru Ndi, on June 12 at 11:30 p.m. in Yaoundé, after a prolonged illness.”

He ran for president numerous times and claimed to be the actual winner of the 1992 election, which saw President Paul Biya re-elected.

Born in July 7, 1941, he attended the Baforchu Basel Mission School in Cameroon and the Santa Native Authority before going to Nigeria to study at Lagos City College.

He later returned to Cameroon from Nigeria where he started his political career.

John Fru Ndi’s death heralds the end of an era in Cameroon’s political scene, leaving behind a history of vigorous opposition and unwavering loyalty to his party and beliefs.