Tchiroma Declares Victory in Cameroon Election, Urges Biya to Accept Defeat
admin 
Cameroon opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma has declared victory in the country’s October 12 presidential election, calling on President Paul Biya to concede and “honour the truth of the ballot box.” Speaking from his hometown of Garoua via a Facebook address, Tchiroma said, “Our victory is clear. It must be respected. The people have chosen. And this choice must be respected.”
A former government spokesperson and employment minister, the 79-year-old politician broke ranks with Biya earlier this year, leading a campaign that drew widespread support from opposition groups and civic organizations. His bold claim marks one of the strongest challenges to Biya’s decades-long rule.
How Has Biya’s Camp Responded?
The ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) dismissed Tchiroma’s declaration, calling it a “grotesque hoax.” Party spokesperson Jacques Fame Ndongo said in a statement that “only the Constitutional Council is enabled to proclaim results,” describing the announcement as “an inadmissible act in a state governed by the rule of law.”
The Minister of Territorial Administration echoed that position, warning that authorities would maintain order and ensure citizens’ safety throughout the tense post-election period. Over the weekend, Minister Paul Atanga Nji cautioned that any unilateral publication of election results would amount to “high treason.”
What Lies Ahead for Cameroon?
At 92, Paul Biya remains the world’s oldest serving head of state and is seeking his eighth term after more than four decades in power. Analysts had anticipated that Biya’s strong grip on state institutions and a divided opposition would give him an advantage, despite growing frustration over insecurity and economic stagnation.
Tchiroma, however, praised Cameroonians for defying intimidation and guarding their ballots late into the night. “This victory is not that of one man, nor of one party. It is the victory of a people,” he said, adding that he would soon release a region-by-region breakdown of vote tallies compiled from polling station results.
He also called on the country’s military and civil servants to stay loyal to “the republic, not the regime,” urging Biya to recognize the outcome peacefully. The Constitutional Council is expected to validate the final results by October 26, a decision that could determine whether Cameroon enters a new political chapter, or faces renewed unrest.
By Lucky Anyanje
