Yaound̩, Cameroon РE be like say Cameroon dey hold breath as dem count votes from Sunday presidential election wey dem call for Paul Biya to extend him 43 years for power. At 92 years old, Biya na di oldest head of state for di entire world, and if him win, na him go dey enter him eighth term. Next election go happen for 2032, but we no fit say wetin go happen now.
No official results don drop yet, but one of Biya paddy, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, don shout say e don win. Na true challenge for Biya this time, because Tchiroma dey carry plenty support from di opposition, wey don dey call am di consensus candidate. But, make we clear, declaring victory before the official results be like looking for trouble under wetin dem call ‘high treason’ for Cameroonian law.
People dey observe how dem go fit handle di votes within 15 days as dem dey count am. For di build-up to di election, di opposition dey complain say government dey try suppress their voice. August na when dem bar Maurice Kamto—a man wey many people see as serious contender—from participating. Dem say na 71 years old man, but wetin e sabi? Na di question wey dey circle.
Interior Minister, Paul Atanga Nji, come out after di election talk say voting clear without wahala across di country. But, people wey wan vote for di English-speaking regions dey face plenty wahala; separatists dey block dem, and some people dey fear make dem no go vote. In Garoua, Tchiroma supporters don begin shout for streets, clash with security wey use tear gas to scatter dem.
Tchiroma don claim say he dey face threats but still stand strong, talking say, ‘I go no move. If dem wan carry me, make dem come!’ E be like say every di paddy get wetin to defend, abi no be so?
While di election dey happen, young people don dey raise voice too. Young political activist, Marie Flore Mboussi, dey tire for ‘old men’ ruling dem, dem dey call for ‘new blood.’ E no go sweet when you think say over 60% of Cameroonians don’t even know any president apart from Biya. Youth don dey suffer from unemployment, and dem sabi say nearly 40% of dem between ages 15 and 35 no fit wind down job for ground.
After all dis drama wey dey unfold, di political landscape be like soap opera. With Tchiroma carrying big support, e follow say analysts dey wonder if Biya go fit hold power again. Dem gatz mind di numbers; as e fit just need slim majority to win, while Tchiroma dey try gather support from di opposition, but unity no fit clear road for am.
Na so di tension dey build as we dey wait for di final announcement. Dey say ‘no shaking’ as backlash from any announcement before official count no go show if truly democracy dey reign for Cameroon. For now, let’s see who go carry di crown before we pop champagne.🇨🇲
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