Yaounde, Cameroon – In a dramatic turn of events, Cameroon’s opposition candidate, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has declared himself the winner of the October 12 presidential election, urging President Paul Biya to concede defeat. Tchiroma, a 76-year-old former government minister, ran for office with the support of several opposition parties and civic groups, promising change, unity, and youth inclusion.
In a nearly five-minute video message posted on social media, Tchiroma confidently proclaimed that the people had chosen him as their new leader, describing the results as “a clear sanction” of Biya’s administration and “the beginning of a new era for Cameroon”. He thanked rival candidates who had congratulated him and recognized the will of the people, suggesting that some of his competitors had privately acknowledged his claimed victory.
However, the government has yet to respond to Tchiroma’s claim, with Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji warning that any unsanctioned release of election results would be considered “high treason”. According to Cameroon’s electoral law, preliminary results can be posted at polling stations, but final nationwide tallies must be verified and proclaimed by the Constitutional Council, a process that could take up to October 26.
The declaration has sparked tension and uncertainty in the Central African nation, with some ruling party members accusing Tchiroma of trying to “incite unrest” and “undermine democratic institutions”. Meanwhile, Tchiroma’s supporters are celebrating what they call a “victory of the people”, with videos circulating online showing jubilant youths chanting and waving his campaign banners in Garoua and parts of Yaoundé.
International observers, including the African Union and European Union, have urged all parties to remain calm and respect legal procedures, noting irregularities in past elections and calling for transparency this time around. The official results are expected to be announced by the Constitutional Council by October 26.