In a dramatic move following the October 12th presidential election, main opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary has unilaterally declared himself the winner. Speaking in a televised message, Tchiroma asserted that results from polling stations show him leading by a "wild margin," claiming a clear victory against President Paul Biya and his ruling CPDM party, which has been in power for 43 years.
The stakes are incredibly high. Tchiroma, a former Biya ally who broke ranks to run for the opposition, is calling on the incumbent—the world's oldest president—to concede gracefully and "honor the truth of the ballot box." Crucially, he has urged the military and all Cameroonians to remain calm while the nation waits for the official tally.
The Government's Swift Response
The reaction from the government has been immediate and fierce. Officials who are also hand clappers to the regime have swiftly rejected Tchiroma's claim, with the Minister of Territorial Administration warning that any unauthorized announcement of results before the Constitutional Council does so is an act of "extreme gravity" and could be considered "high treason."
What Happens Next?
This creates a high-tension standoff in a country with a history of post-election disputes. Official results are not expected until October 26th at the latest.
Tchiroma's bold claim, while based on collated polling station results, runs the risk of escalating political tensions, particularly given that a similar move by an opposition leader after the 2018 election led to his arrest.
The coming days will be critical for Cameroon's democratic future. Will the CPDM regime accept a loss after more than four decades, or are we on the brink of a major political crisis?
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
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