Cameroon Opposition candidate Tchiroma claims victory in presidential election over the oldest President on the earth

Cameroon’s Opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary claimed victory early on Tuesday (October 14, 2025) within the presidential election performed on October 12, urging President Paul Biya, who has been in energy for over 4 many years, to concede.

“Our victory is evident, it have to be revered,” Mr. Tchiroma stated in a video assertion on Facebook, calling on Mr. Biya to “settle for the reality of the poll field” or “plunge the nation into turmoil”. Elections Cameroon, the unbiased physique in control of overseeing the ballot, and the constitutional courtroom haven’t but introduced any outcomes. Official outcomes are anticipated on the newest by October 26.

Mr. Biya’s Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) occasion rejected Mr. Tchiroma’s declare on Tuesday (October 14, 2025).

Gregoire Owona, the deputy secretary-general of the CPDM, stated the Opposition candidate didn’t win and doesn’t have the outcomes from the polling stations. Mr. Tchiroma stated he’ll share an in depth report of the votes by area within the coming days.

Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji warned final week that any unauthorised launch of outcomes can be deemed “excessive treason,” saying solely the Constitutional Council can declare a winner.

The 76-year-old Opposition candidate was a authorities spokesperson and Minister of Employment below Mr. Biya, however stop the federal government final 12 months to launch his presidential run. His marketing campaign drew giant crowds and backing from a coalition of Opposition events and civic teams.

Analysts have predicted a victory for Mr. Biya, 92, because the Opposition remained divided and his strongest rival was barred from working in August. Eleven Opposition candidates had been on the poll for the October 12 election.

Mr. Biya is the world’s oldest President. He has been in energy since 1982, almost half his lifetime, making him Cameroon’s second President since Independence from France in 1960.

During Mr. Biya’s many years in energy, the Central African nation of almost 30 million folks has struggled with challenges from a lethal secessionist motion within the West and power corruption that has stifled improvement regardless of wealthy pure sources like oil and minerals.

Around 8 million voters had been eligible to vote in Cameroon’s election, which makes use of a single-round electoral system that awards the presidency to the candidate with probably the most votes. During the final presidential election in 2018, the Opposition chief Maurice Kamto claimed victory a day after the vote. He was later arrested, resulting in protests and dozens of his supporters being detained.

Mr. Biya cruised to victory with over 70% in an election marred by irregularities and a low turnout.