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Voters head to polls as Cameroon’s Paul Biya eyes extended term

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Voters in Cameroon went to the polls on Sunday in a presidential election that is widely expected to see 92-year-old Paul Biya, Africa’s longest-serving leader, extend his 42-year rule for another seven years. If victorious, President Biya would be 99 years old by the end of his new term, continuing his reign in a nation grappling with profound security and economic challenges.

Political experts anticipate a win for Biya, who cast his ballot amid tight security at a primary school in the nation’s capital, Yaounde.

Having ascended to power in 1982 following the resignation of Cameroon’s first president, he has since been declared the victor in seven consecutive elections.

Since gaining independence from France in 1960, the Central African nation has had only two leaders.

Biya’s health and frequent, extended stays in Europe have long been subjects of speculation, with daily governance often delegated to senior officials and family members.

A crowded field of familiar faces

President Biya faces a field of nine opposition candidates, though the electoral system heavily favors the incumbent.

Cameroon employs a single-round voting process, where the candidate with the most votes wins, eliminating the possibility of a runoff that could unite opposition support.

His challengers include several former allies and appointees, such as Bello Bouba Maigari, a former tourism minister, and Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who until recently served as the employment minister.

This fragmentation of the opposition is seen as a key factor in securing Biya’s anticipated victory.

A nation beset by crises

The election unfolds against a backdrop of escalating national crises.

See also  PDP attacks APC over Fubara’s defection

In the western regions, a violent secessionist conflict rages between predominantly English-speaking separatists, who claim marginalization by the French-speaking majority, and government forces.

Meanwhile, in the far north, the spillover of the Boko Haram insurgency from neighboring Nigeria continues to plague border towns with frequent attacks.

These security challenges are compounded by deep-seated socioeconomic issues.

According to United Nations estimates, at least 43% of Cameroon’s population lives in poverty, measured by fundamental standards of income, education, and health.

A young population and an elder leader

With a population of over 29 million that is predominantly young, the election highlights a stark generational contrast.

Approximately 8 million registered voters, including over 34,000 from the diaspora, were eligible to cast their ballots at more than 31,000 polling stations across the country.

As polls officially closed at 6 p.m., the nation now awaits the official results, which are expected no later than October 26.

For many, the outcome seems a foregone conclusion, promising a continuation of the Biya era amidst a complex web of political stability, international scrutiny, and domestic turmoil.

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Politics

‘Leave Social Media, Join Politics’, Ex-Lawmaker Shehu Sani Tells Young Nigerians

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Former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has called on Nigerians, especially those in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, to move beyond commenting on social media and take a more active role in the country’s political landscape.

In a post on X on Saturday, Sani encouraged Nigerians in the middle age to stop limiting themselves to online debates while younger politicians occupy elective offices.

He said surveys suggesting that Nigerian youths were more active on social media than in politics are not helpful, emphasising that true political engagement goes far beyond ‘likes, shares, and comments’ on social media.

Sani also encouraged aspiring politicians not to be discouraged by financial constraints, noting that many current officeholders faced significant challenges in their early political journeys.

“You are in your 30s, 40s or 50s, your Rep member is in his 30s and your House of Assembly member and Local Government Chairman are in their 20s. Excuse yourself from their comment section on Facebook, X and Instagram; register as a member of a political party and aspire to contest and give your people the kind of leadership you think they deserve. The recent survey that suggests that Nigerian youths are more on social media than in politics is not helpful. Don’t be discouraged or scared because ‘you don’t have money’ to join politics. You need to hear the story of most of those you see in power today; it wasn’t an easy ride from the beginning. If they can be, so you can,” Sani wrote.

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See also  Turaki camp fumes as INEC rejects PDP excos
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2027: ‘Peter Obi Is The Only Life In ADC, Others Are Not Existing’ – Fayose

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Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has claimed that the Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is the only living person in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

It was reports that Fayose made this known during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme on Friday.

According to Fayose, other chieftains of the ADC and political figures in the party are old forces and no longer exist.

He said, “Obi is the only life in ADC; all other people in ADC are semi-existent. If Obi had gone to remain in Labour Party or has gone to Accord Party, he is the only life there. All the other people there, they are not existing. They are old-forces.”

Fayose also stated that he has no regret supporting President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election but will never join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He stressed, “Openly, I supported Tinubu in 2023. I didn’t hide it. Till now I’m still there. I don’t jump. I have said it to you I’m not a member of APC and I will never be.”

Speaking further, the former Governor said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is technically no more, adding that it is dead.

The former Governor equally said that Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, should not be dragged into the woes of the PDP.

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Impeachment: Wike Maintains Silence As Tinubu, APC Leaders Resolve To Save Fubara

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President Bola Tinubu and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have reportedly resolved to save the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, following the impeachment proceedings initiated against him and the Deputy Governor, Ngozi Odu, by the House of Assembly.

It was learnt that while Fubara, who is reportedly out of the country, has yet to be served with the impeachment notice and he has the backing of power brokers and APC leaders to retain his seat.

Multiple sources who spoke to Vanguard stated that the recent comments by the National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru, and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, commending Fubara and recognising him as the leader of the party in Rivers, capture the mood of critical power brokers in the presidency.

Those said to be favourably disposed to Fubara include the Imo State Governor and chairman of the APC Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma and Transport Minister, Senator Dave Umahi.

Also, the Pan-Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF), the apex socio-political body of the South-South geopolitical zone, was among the critical stakeholders who waded into the matter.

Rivers State Elder and chieftain of the PANDEF, Anabs Sara-Igbe, in an interview with Vanguard, called on President Tinubu to save the state from unnecessary tension arising from the third attempt by the legislators to remove Governor Fubara and his deputy from office.

Wike Shuns Comment On Fubara’s Impeachment

Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has maintained a loud silence as the presidency, APC leaders and stakeholders weigh in to resolve the reignited political crisis following the commencement of impeachment proceedings against Fubara.

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Prior to the latest impeachment threat by the lawmakers who are largely Wike’s loyalists, the former Governor of Rivers State was always seen dancing, singing and using every political gathering to criticise Fubara.

However, Wike, who shunned comments on the impeachment proceedings, appeared sober when his “thank you” train landed in Andoni LGA of the state on Friday.

Unlike Wike, the minister, who did not spend more than five minutes addressing the huge crowd that came out to welcome him, and did not speak publicly on the impeachment move.

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