Cameroon Opposition Leader Declares Victory Amid Controversy

Mon Nov 10 2025 23:02:40 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Issa Tchiroma Bakary, the opposition leader in Cameroon, claims to have won the presidential election held on October 12, defying the ruling party's dismissal of his victory and promising to fight against what he calls a 'stolen vote'.

In a bold statement to the BBC, Issa Tchiroma Bakary has declared himself the winner of Cameroon’s recent presidential elections despite official silence on the results. The opposition leader criticizes the ruling government's dismissal of his claims and insists that their attempts to undermine the election's legitimacy will not be tolerated. Bakary urges his supporters to stand firm and protect their votes amid fears of potential unrest following the upcoming official announcement.

Cameroon's opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who has declared himself the winner of the 12 October elections, has told the BBC that he will not accept a stolen vote, with the results due to be announced on Monday.

He says his team has compiled the overall picture based on results from individual polling stations, so there is no doubt.

Tchiroma Bakary, 76, is a former government minister who broke ranks with President Paul Biya, 92, who is seeking another term after 43 years in power.

The ruling party has dismissed Tchiroma Bakary's victory claims and several officials have described it as illegal because only the Constitutional Council can proclaim official results.

Tchiroma Bakary said he had urged his supporters to defend their votes, adding: We will never accept their votes being stolen by anyone.

He mentioned not being concerned about being arrested or jailed, stating, but I know that I have already won the presidential election. He emphasized, There is no doubt, no shadow of doubt whatsoever. My victory is undeniable, during his interview with the BBC.

He challenged the ruling CPDM party to prove whether his statements regarding the election were incorrect, insisting that the law permits his declaration of victory.

The anticipation surrounding the delayed results is rising, escalating fears of potential violence in the nation, which is already contending with a separatist conflict in the Anglophone regions and a Boko Haram insurgency in the Far North.