Main opposition candidate unilaterally declares himself the victor, and calls on incumbent Paul Biya to concede.
Revealed On 14 Oct 2025
Cameroon opposition chief Issa Tchiroma Bakary has unilaterally declared victory within the nation’s presidential election.
Tchiroma made the assertion in an almost five-minute speech posted to social media early on Tuesday. Though official channels haven’t declared outcomes, he urged long-term incumbent, 92-year-old President Paul Biya, to name him to concede.
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“The folks have chosen, and this selection should be revered,” Tchiroma demanded within the video.
Nonetheless, the federal government warned earlier this week that solely outcomes introduced by the Constitutional Council will be thought of official. The physique has virtually two weeks to make the announcement.
A former authorities spokesman and ally of Biya for 20 years, Tchiroma was thought of the highest contender to unseat Biya in Sunday’s elections.
After he resigned from the federal government in June, his marketing campaign drew massive crowds and key endorsements from a coalition of opposition events and civic teams.
However Biya – in energy for 43 years and the world’s oldest serving head of state – has been extensively anticipated to safe one other seven-year time period in workplace, given his tight grip on state equipment and the fragmented nature of the opposition.
Cameroon’s authorities has not responded formally to Tchiroma’s declaration.
Nonetheless, Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji warned not too long ago that solely the Constitutional Council has the authority to announce the winner, and that any unilateral publication of outcomes can be thought of “excessive treason”.
Cameroon’s electoral legislation permits outcomes to be printed and posted at particular person polling stations, however last tallies should be validated by the Constitutional Council, which has till October 26 to announce the result, the Reuters information company reported.
‘Honour’ the poll field
Within the video, filmed in his northern hometown of Garoua in entrance of the nationwide flag, Tchiroma urged Biya to “honour the reality of the poll field”, and to concede and supply congratulations.
Doing so, he mentioned, can be a mark of Cameroon’s political maturity and the power of its democracy.
The election outcomes, he mentioned, signify “a transparent sanction” of Biya’s administration and marked “the start of a brand new period”.
Tchiroma additionally thanked rival candidates “who’ve already congratulated me and recognised the need of the folks”.
He known as on authorities establishments and the army to recognise his victory and “keep on the aspect of the republic”.
“Don’t let anybody divert you out of your mission to guard the folks,” he mentioned.
