Issa Tchiroma Bakary’s self-declared victory puts Cameroon on edge as the nation awaits official results: Video
Opposition presidential candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary has unilaterally declared victory in Cameroon’s October 12 presidential election, claiming he won by “an overwhelming margin” with more than half of the votes cast.
Speaking at a press conference in Garoua on Wednesday, October 22, Bakary asserted that “the massive popular support demonstrated at the campaign meetings we held here and there, and the scrupulous respect for Article 113 of the Electoral Code” made him “the legal and legitimate President of the Republic.”
He called on longtime incumbent President Paul Biya, who has been in power for 43 years and is seeking an eighth term, to concede defeat and facilitate a peaceful handover of power. “Call the winner, congratulate them, and notify them of your willingness to organise a smooth transition,” Bakary urged, warning that failure to do so could trigger “upheavals and convulsions” in the country.
Bakary also cautioned against the announcement of what he described as “falsified and truncated results,” saying Cameroonians would reject any form of electoral manipulation or ballot stuffing.
The opposition leader further encouraged Cameroonians to remain united and resilient, insisting that “the international community and neighbouring countries will not intervene” in the country’s political transition.
The nation now awaits the official results from the Constitutional Council, which alone is empowered to declare the winner of the presidential election.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
