UPC militants pose for a family picture with Minister Paul Atanga Nji
By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Four opposition parties in Cameroon have declared their full support for Paul Biya’s candidacy ahead of the presidential election expected to take place later this year.
The parties announced their support for Paul Biya on January 31 in Yaoundé, in the presence of the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji.
The first to express support was the Union des Populations du Cameroun (UPC). Leading the delegation was the Secretary General of the party, Hon. Robert Bapooh Lipot.
In a message read by Elizabeth Bilong, former Mayor of Eseka, the UPC stated that considering all Paul Biya has done for Cameroon, there is no better choice than to support him in the upcoming presidential elections.
According to Hon. Bapooh Lipot, the UPC came to confirm the alliance between the CPDM and the UPC and to invite the Head of State to be the candidate of this alliance for the next presidential elections.
“We know very well that, taking into consideration the international context and the necessity to protect our unity and sovereignty, only Paul Biya can be the real candidate to safeguard the entire nation,” Hon. Bapooh Lipot said.
He added, “We are very satisfied to see that he is ready to continue with the mission entrusted to him by our martyrs. This is very important now because we have to work hard to protect this nation in light of the challenges we currently face.”
The second party to publicly announce its support was the Movement for the Defence of the Republic (MDR). Through its President, Daissala Tigana Tassi, the MDR presented President Paul Biya as the party’s choice for the upcoming 2025 presidential elections.
Tigana Tassi indicated that the MDR remains committed to seeing President Paul Biya elected in the upcoming elections.
“The alliance between the MDR and CPDM is a long-standing one, and as you know, we have always supported President Paul Biya. We believe that it is more necessary than ever to reaffirm this commitment,” Tigana Tassi stated.
The other two parties that jointly proclaimed President Paul Biya as their candidate for the upcoming presidential elections were the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation (PCRN) and the Republican Farmers Party (PRAC).
Following their motto and emblem, the PCRN, led by its founding father Robert Kona, expressed its unwavering desire for peace and reconciliation in the country. To this end, the party stated, “The PCRN asks H.E. Paul Biya, President of the Republic and Head of State, to stand as a candidate in the 2025 presidential election.”
According to the PCRN, the decision to support Paul Biya’s candidacy was made at the extraordinary congress held on June 1, 2024, in Guidiguis.
Meanwhile, two mayors who resigned from the Cabral Libiih-led faction of the PCRN were present: Joan Jacques Mbogolti, Mayor of Makak, and Nyone Fils Huber, Mayor of Matomb.