President Paul Biya of Cameroon has said that he will contest the country’s presidential election again despite being 93-years-old in 2025.
Kennedy Wandera made this known on Thursday with the founder of the Foreign Press Association Africa quoting news media, The EastAfrican.
“Cameroon is due to hold its next presidential election in 2025, longtime President Paul Biya will be 93. He has confirmed that he will contest,” the report read.
“If he wins the election, and completes the new seven-year mandate, Biya will be 100 years in 2032.”
The report disclosed that Biya’s decisions to delay the election by one year and to permit him to contest despite his age have angered opposition politicians in Cameroon.
According to the report, even these opponents may not be permitted to contest, leaving Biya free to triumph again and rule for another seven years.
“Cameroon’s parliament last month approved Biya’s request to postpone parliamentary and municipal elections until 2026 to allow some breathing space claiming that the political calendar is crowded,” the report added.
“Cameroon usually holds legislative elections before presidential ones, with the final candidates vying for the top job based on their parties’ strength in the legislative polls.
“Now, the election of MPs and municipal councillors, which are usually held in twos, will take place in 2026, after the presidential elections following Biya’s decree which effectively extends the mandate of lawmakers.”
The report, however, claimed that Cameroonians are reluctant to register as voters because they believe it is a waste of time and think President Biya plans to rig the election.
Biya who is currently 92-years-old is one of Africa’s longest-serving presidents, having taken over from President Ahmadou Ahidjo in 1982.
He has won a series of elections, most recently in 2018, a victory that his opponents called fraudulent.
