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Cameroon Opposition Leader Slams Biya, Calls Re-Election “Masquerade” As Protest Rages On
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By Prosper Olayiwola
Cameroon’s veteran ruler, Paul Biya, has secured an eighth term in office, extending his more than four decades in power — but his main rival, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has rejected the results, describing the election as a “masquerade.”
The country’s Constitutional Council on Monday declared Biya, 92, winner of the October 12 presidential election with 53.7 percent of the vote.
His closest challenger, Issa Tchiroma Bakary of the Front for the National Salvation of Cameroon (FNSC), finished second with 35.2 percent.
There was no election; it was rather a masquerade. We won unequivocally,” Tchiroma told AFP shortly after the announcement.
The opposition leader, a former government minister, had claimed victory two days after the polls closed and urged his supporters to take to the streets in protest.
Tensions have since escalated. A rally outside Tchiroma’s home in Garoua, northern Cameroon, reportedly turned violent, leaving two protesters dead, according to the opposition figure.
He alleged that ten snipers were posted on rooftops.
An AFP reporter confirmed witnessing one man being shot but could not verify his death.
In the economic capital, Douala, at least four people were killed on Sunday when security forces clashed with opposition supporters, according to the regional governor.
Witnesses said police initially fired tear gas before using live ammunition to disperse the crowd.
The official voter turnout was 46.3 percent, as the nation awaited the results for over two weeks amid heightened political tension and security crackdowns.
Other contenders, including Cabral Libii (3.4 percent), Bello Bouba Maigari (2.5 percent), and Hermine Patricia Tomaino Ndam Njoya (1.7 percent)— the only female candidate—trailed far behind.
Meanwhile, eight remaining candidates each received less than one percent of the vote.
Public gatherings have been prohibited and traffic movement restricted across most major cities since polling day.
However, beginning last week, supporters of Tchiroma have flooded the streets to defend his self-declared victory.
According to his own vote count, Tchiroma claimed to have secured 54.8 percent of the ballots, compared to 31.3 percent for President Paul Biya.
In a speech last Wednesday, he reaffirmed his confidence in winning the election and urged Cameroonians to protest if the Constitutional Council released what he described as “falsified and distorted results.”
By early Monday morning, police and security forces had been deployed at key intersections and strategic locations throughout the capital, Yaoundé.
In Garoua, a protester waving the Cameroonian flag approached police officers during a gathering on October 26, 2025.
Authorities said the deployment was meant to “ensure the security of the electoral process and prevent any disorder.”
Fearing possible clashes, many shops and petrol stations remained closed, and traffic was noticeably sparse.
Despite the growing unrest, most political observers predicted another seven-year term for Biya, in what critics describe as a tightly controlled system.
Biya, who has ruled Cameroon with an iron grip since succeeding the country’s first post-independence leader in 1960, has long faced accusations of repressing dissent, crushing opposition movements, and clinging to power amid social tension, economic hardship, and separatist conflict.
Tchiroma, in his campaign manifesto, pledged a three- to five-year transitional government aimed at rebuilding what he called a nation “ruined by Biya’s decades in power.”
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu have expressed concern and support for the family of the late former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Comrade Patrick Osadebamwen.
The assurances came as the NUJ FCT Council, colleagues, friends and associates continued to mourn the sudden death of the respected journalist, whose passing has sent shock waves through the FCT media community.
Osadebamwen, a former Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, was reportedly found dead in his residence in Bwari on Saturday.
Following the development, the NUJ FCT Council reached out to the police authorities for assistance with the evacuation of his remains, prompting the FCT Commissioner of Police to swiftly mobilise personnel from the Bwari Divisional Headquarters.
The police personnel subsequently assisted in evacuating the remains from the deceased’s residence and conveying them to the mortuary.
In a statement jointly signed by the NUJ FCT Council Chairman and Secretary, Comrade Grace Ike and Comrade Jide Oyekunle, respectively, the Council commended CP Sanusi for his prompt intervention to the matter as well as friends and well wishers
“The Council is using this medium to specially thank the FCT Commissioner of police for the timely response when reached on Sunday”
Meanwhile, the Force Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Iniedu, who represented the Inspector-General of Police during a condolence visit to the deceased’s residence in Bwari, expressed shock over the journalist’s death.
Iniedu conveyed the IGP’s condolences to the bereaved family and pledged the IGP’s support for the family particularly the kids he left behind
The condolence visit was part of efforts by the police leadership and members of the journalism community to identify with the family at a difficult period.
The NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Grace Ike, described Osadebamwen’s death as a painful loss to the journalism profession, commending the police authorities for their timely intervention and support following the incident.
She also appreciated the IGP, the FCT Commissioner of Police and other stakeholders for identifying with the family and demonstrating concern at a moment of grief.
Osadebamwen was widely respected by colleagues as a committed unionist
His death has continued to generate grief among journalists, friends, colleagues and associates, with tributes pouring in from across the media community.
The NUJ FCT Council urged journalists, friends, colleagues and well-meaning Nigerians to continue to identify with the bereaved family and pray for the repose of the deceased’s soul.
The Council also disclosed that details of the burial arrangements would be made public as soon as the family’s representative arrives in Abuja and the necessary arrangements are concluded.
As the circumstances surrounding his sudden death continue to weigh heavily on the journalism community, colleagues have continued to remember Osadebamwen for his commitment to the media profession and his service to the NUJ.
News
Pre-Election Suit: Ogbeide-Ihama Challenges INEC, NDC Over Alleged Substitution Of Oredo Federal Constituency Candidate
The Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division will tomorrow, Monday 1st September 2026, commence hearing in a pre-election suit filed by *Dr. Igbinosa Ogbeide-Ihama* challenging the nomination and submission of *Hon. Frank Omosigho* as the candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, for Oredo Federal Constituency.
The suit, *FHC/ABJ/C8/1859/2026*, has the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, and Hon. Frank Omosigho as 1st to 3rd Defendants respectively.
In an Amended Originating Summons filed by his counsel, *AGHAHOWA & CO, FOCUS CHAMBERS, Dr. Ogbeide-Ihama is asking the court to determine whether the NDC is bound to sponsor only the candidate that emerged from its valid primary conducted on *29th May 2026*.
The Plaintiff contends that he duly participated in the said primary, emerged winner, completed and transmitted his INEC Form EC-9, and remains a registered financial member of the NDC with Membership Card No. 6309528.
He is praying the court for a declaration that he is the valid candidate of the NDC for Oredo Federal House of Representatives, and that the nomination and submission of Hon. Frank Omosigho to INEC is illegal, null and void.
According to the affidavit in support, Hon. Frank Omosigho was allegedly not a registered financial member of the NDC, did not contest the 29th May 2026 primary, and did not submit Form EC-9. The Plaintiff further alleged that the 3rd Defendant had earlier contested and lost the APC primaries for Oredo East Constituency on 20th May 2026 with 69 votes.
The Plaintiff averred that the 3rd Respondent’s attempt to decamp to the NDC failed. In the affidavit, he stated that a letter written by the NDC Edo State Chairman to the former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, seeking recognition of Hon. Frank Omosigho and two others as new members of NDC, was set-aside by the Speaker after deliberation by the House during its Votes and Proceedings of *22nd June, 2026* — almost a month after the NDC Federal House of Representatives Primaries — for not adhering to due process. Hence, Hon. Frank Omosigho is currently the APC House of Assembly member representing Oredo East in the Edo State House of Assembly.
Among other reliefs, the Plaintiff is seeking an order compelling INEC not to substitute his name, an order compelling the NDC to forward his name to INEC as its candidate, and perpetual injunctions restraining the Defendants from recognizing Hon. Frank Omosigho as the candidate.
The Plaintiff is also asking for aggravated and exemplary damages of *N50,000,000.00* against the NDC for acting in bad faith and in breach of its own Constitution.
The case borders on Sections 29, 31, 33, 77(5), 84(1) and 88(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, and Articles 15.04(i), 15.04(v-vi) of the NDC Constitution 2026 as amended.
All parties have been served and are expected in court tomorrow for mention and hearing of preliminary applications.
The matter is expected to test the enforcement of internal democracy within political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
By EMMANUEL AGAJI
The National Coordinator of Concerned Egbeoba Kingdom Indigenes (CEKI) and Chief Executive Officer of Zhigammy Media Ltd, Comrade Sola Ogunlola, has congratulated Ikole-born media practitioner, Kayode Sanni Arewa, on his birthday.
Ogunlola, in a birthday message issued in Abuja, described Sanni Arewa as a man of exceptional value whose leadership and representation could be trusted.
Ogunlola signed the message in his capacity as CEO of Zhigammy Media Ltd and National Coordinator of Concerned Egbeoba Kingdom Indigenes.
He commended the celebrant for his commitment to cultural harmony, community development and the advancement of his heritage, particularly Ikole Local Government and Ekiti State.
The CEKI coordinator also called on the people and indigenes of Ikole Constituency 1 to support Sanni Arewa as he seeks the mandate to represent the constituency in the Ekiti State House of Assembly.
According to him, Sanni Arewa has consistently demonstrated a strong passion for the growth and development of his people, making him capable of providing effective representation at the state legislature.
“Mr Kayode Sanni Arewa has consistently demonstrated a passion for the growth of our people. As he steps forward to serve at the state legislature, I encourage the constituents of Ikole Constituency 1 to give him the necessary backing to deliver effective representation,” Ogunlola stated.
He wished the celebrant long life, good health, prosperity and greater achievements in his service to humanity.
Patrick Osadebamwen: IGP Disu, FCT CP, NUJ Rally Support for Late Journalist’s Family
Pre-Election Suit: Ogbeide-Ihama Challenges INEC, NDC Over Alleged Substitution Of Oredo Federal Constituency Candidate
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