2025 Presidentials: Four opposition parties throw weight behind Biya!.

After blessings from traditional rulers and Muslim religious leaders nationwide, four opposition political parties have also thrown their weight behind President Biya to seek re-election.

Members of factions of the Cameroon People’s Union, UPC, Movement for Democracy and Defense of the Republic, MDR, Cameroonian Party for National Reconciliation, PCRN, and Parti Republicain des Agriculteurs, PRAC, declared their support for Biya Friday, January 31 in Yaounde.

This was during separate audiences granted the political party officials who came knocking on the doors of the Minister of Territorial Administration, MINAT, Atanga Nji Paul. 

UPC restates call for Biya to seek re-election 

A faction of the UPC party, led by its Secretary General, Robert Bapooh Lipot, reiterated their resolve to support the candidacy of President Paul Biya. 

In a declaration read during the meeting with the MINAT boss, Bapooh Lipot said their choice of President Biya is based on the spirit of reunification, independence, dialogue and reconciliation which he said the President has incarnated since 1982. 

Bapooh Lipot also explained that the party’s choice is also because President Biya has promoted the political heritage of past nationalists like Ruben Um Nyobe and is fit to lead Cameroon in the future to transcend the UPC/CPDM alliance.

“The UPC launches an appeal to President Paul Biay, this great shepherd who knew how to capitalise on the political heritage of the founding fathers of our nation, inviting him to be candidate of the republican alliance UPC/CPDM in the presidential election of 2025,” the UPC declaration read in part.

The faction noted that: “Faced with the current challenges and issues, the historic party reassures the Cameroonian people by confirming that the future of Cameroon is with Paul Biya”.

MDR renews covenant with Biya

The embattled National President of the Republican Democratic Movement, MDR party, Daissala Tigana Tassi, renewed the party’s longstanding covenant with President Biya. He declared that the party has unanimously chosen President Biya for the upcoming presidential poll. 

Tigana said the choice is based on the stability and development in Cameroon under the directives of President Biya, amidst challenges. The party said based on his experience and wisdom in steering the Statecraft, the Head of State is fit to continue for the good of the country’s political future.

“In view of the current national and international context, the MDR expresses its conviction that only you, His Exellency Paul Biya, is able to guarantee the stability and prosperity of Cameroon for the coming years,” Tigana declared.

He talked of Biya’s “experience, your wisdom and your commitment to the development of Cameroon make you the indisputable choice and the best bet for the safeguarding of national unity, peace, stability, social cohesion and living together so dearly acquired under your leadership”.

Enter PCRN, PRAC officials 

A delegation from PCRN and PRAC parties also visited the Ministry of Territorial Administration to call on Biya to seek re-election.

The faction of the Cameroonian Party for National Reconciliation, PCRN that endorsed President for upcoming presidential poll was led by one of its founders, Robert Kona. The PRAC party was led by Mbogol Jean Jacques. 

The two parties handed a joined declaration to Minister Atanga Nji, for onward transmission to President Paul Biya.

Officials from the two political parties based their endorsement on peace, stability, unity and living together which they said has been advocated by Paul Biya.

“We are committed to supporting his candidacy, which, for us, is an all-risk insurance for Cameroon,” the PCRN/PRAC declaration read.

Atanga Nji promises to deliver message

Minister Atanga Nji promised all the officials from the four political parties that their declarations will be handed to the Head of State without any delay. 

The multiple declarations, it should be said, come after Biya, in his state-of-the-nation address, subtly declared his willingness to continue piloting the affairs of the State.

“I can assure you that my resolve to serve you remains steadfast and grows stronger by the day as we address the immense challenges facing us,” Biya had declared. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3358 of Monday February 03, 2025