Race to Unity Palace: Akere, Ateki throw weight behind Bello to unseat Biya.

Both Akere and Ateki have joined forces with the team of Bello, to flush out the Biya regime from power.

Akere threw his weight behind Bello after a meeting in Douala yesterday. Both officials are reported to have met in a hotel.

Though no official statement has been made to this effect, Akere was seen at the campaign rally of Bello at the Newbell neighbourhood yesterday. 

Speaking at the rally yesterday, Bello Bouba invited all and sundry to make the responsible choice on the D-day. He said their choice will determine the future of the nation. 

He appreciated the move made my Akere and Ateki to endorse him, insisting that together they can unseat the current regime.

“We will work hand in glove to reconstruct Cameroon,” he stated, urging other presidential candidates to also take the bold step to join him in this race. 

“History will not recall the third or fourth of the campaign, but he who would have made the big change,” he stated. 

Bello told supporters in Douala that: “I can't promise miracles, but I promise you hard work and honesty; do well to cast your votes, and make sure to protect them”. 

Taking the cue at the UNDP campaign rally yesterday, Akere Muna disclosed he had an inclusive talk with Bello, with corruption, poverty and Anglophone crisis being the main topics. 

Akere’s endorsement of Bello comes barely a day after Ateki also publicly announced he was backing out of the race to join Bello Bouba. 

Ateki also accompanied Bello Bouba to officially launch campaigns at the UNDP headquarters in Yaounde. 

“Today marks the official launch of our campaigns. I salute the strong support of my brother Ateki Caxton, who embodies with me the beginning of a broad coalition movement, as so many Cameroonians desire. My gratitude goes to him and to all those who share this ideal with determination,” Bello Bouba posted on his Facebook page. 

Speaking at the UNDP campaign rally in Douala, Ateki said joining Bello is part of his vision to make Cameroon one of the “great nations in Africa”.

“Vote Bello, if you want quality and better education, vote Bello, if you want peace and prosperity, vote Bello,” Ateki told supporters. 

Prior to joining forces with Bello Bouba yesterday, Akere had launched campaigns for the UNIVERSE party in Tiko, Fako Division of the South West Region.

The renowned international lawyer, anti-corruption titan, gathered thousands when he launched his campaign in Tiko. 

After charming thousands with his enticing manifesto, Akere, in an interview with reporters, insisted that a coalition remains key to unseating the current regime, which he described as a “dirty and wild beast”.

Ateki’s team on endorsing Bello

In a message after endorsing Bello Bouba, Ateki’s campaign team said the candidate “stands firm for unity and victory”. They described his decision to back Bello Bouba as a “response to the people’s call”.

“Together, we are shaping a common program and a coordinated vote-protection strategy that reflect the aspirations of Cameroonians and ensures a win for our nation,” the team stated. 

Ateki’s team called on Cameroonians to stand by the coalition, declaring that their commitment is to fulfill the will of the people and make history together.

The team further detailed that Ateki’s move is based on “putting collective interest and the people's will above individual ambitions”. The team insisted that: “We have done our part, we are expecting you to play yours”. 

Akere and Ateki are now joining Bello to jointly market the candidate’s ambitious roadmap aimed at overhauling the entire State apparatus once voted. 

Bello intends to roll out a “national reconciliation and reform program” to actively respond to the Anglophone crisis and other problems affecting the country. 

They also cited strengthening the democratic process through laws and ensuring the constitution meets the general will of citizens. 

On the economic plan, Bello Bouba says he plans to implement a “great ambitious economic recovery program” to revive economic growth and structural transformation of the economy.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3579 of Monday September 29, 2025