Cameroonian refugees and residents in Calabar, Cross River State, have urged President Paul Biya, 92, to concede defeat in the recently concluded presidential election, which early tallies indicate was won by opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary, 76.

Bakary and his supporters have already called for his swearing-in, insisting they won the October 12, 2025 election fairly.

President Biya, one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, has ruled Cameroon since April 1982, following the exit of President Ahmadou Ahidjo, and was seeking an eighth term in office.

Cameroon is next door neighbour to Nigeria by the eastern flank.

Speaking in Calabar on Tuesday, several Cameroonian citizens, many of whom fled the Ambazonian insurgency in the country’s southwest since 2014, warned Biya’s handlers to “put Cameroon’s interest above personal ambition” and avert further international embarrassment.

According to them, Biya is hardly aware or in tune with contemporary happenings in their country.

“Now we have an election where a candidate has clearly defeated Paul Biya. There’s no need to twist the results again. Let Bakary be sworn in after 43 years for the sake of change,” said Clemence Nchongo, 60.

The refugees, whose population in Calabar has grown significantly in recent years, alleged that Biya no longer governs directly and that a cabal has been manipulating state processes in his name. They called on Elections Cameroon and the Constitutional Council to validate the results in the nation’s interest.

Another respondent, Frances Clemence, estimated that Cameroonian nationals in Cross River could number over 2,000, stressing that “the people’s will must be respected.”

However, the Cameroonian government has maintained that only the Constitutional Council has authority to declare a winner and warned that premature victory claims could amount to high treason.

In Ikom, in central Cross River State, two other respondents, Denise Yawun and Marie Ntui, criticised what they called “France-controlled governance” in Cameroon.

They expressed relief that they could now voice their opinions freely from Nigeria.

“We need a new president. Biya never campaigned; he’s too old and has been confined abroad. Let’s move away from this political prison,” said Marie. “Bakary has won. They should swear him in and let Cameroon breathe fresh air.”

Ntui, a teacher, added that rejecting Bakary’s victory could further inflame the separatist conflict. “Removing Biya is the first step toward ending the Ambazonian armed struggle,” he stated.

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Ohanaeze Ndigbo community in Lagos State has expressed optimism about President Bola Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term in office ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Chief Sunday Udeh, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, made the declaration during a reconciliation parley convened by Dr Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran (popularly known as Jandor), Lead Visioner of the Lagos4Lagos Movement.

The meeting, held in Lagos, focused on fostering harmony between Yoruba and Igbo residents following recent demolitions in the state.

Speaking with the newsmen, Udeh urged both ethnic groups to continue living in peace and mutual respect, warning against sentiments capable of creating divisions.

He described President Tinubu as an experienced leader who understands governance and deserves another term in 2027.

“We are not in doubt of his victory in 2027. We know our party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, will win again,” Udeh said.

The Ohanaeze leader called on the Lagos State Government to continue engaging with the Igbo community and other ethnic groups to ensure inclusiveness and unity.

He noted that relations between Igbos and the Lagos government had become strained after the 2023 elections but assured that renewed dialogue and collaboration would help strengthen mutual trust.

“2027 is close. We know our party will take it. I am a member and will work for the party,” Udeh added.

Also speaking, Deacon Charles Obih, National President of the Market Leaders Association of Nigeria, TMLAN, pledged the support of the Igbo business community for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

“We will mobilize our members to ensure President Tinubu’s re-election is smooth and successful by the grace of God,” Obih stated.

He praised the President’s leadership, describing him as a capable and pragmatic leader who inherited difficult national challenges but has continued to address them with determination.

“To be frank, if God had not brought a man like him, we don’t know where this country would be today,” Obih said.

In his remarks, Dr Okey Anorue, Eze Ndigbo of Igbogbo/Bayeku and Babaloja of Tejuosho Market, called for unity and understanding between the Igbo and Yoruba communities.

He emphasized that both groups must strengthen their bond ahead of the 2027 elections to prevent political actors from exploiting ethnic sentiments.

“We need a peaceful environment. The Yoruba are our hosts, and we must respect their culture. When in Rome, behave like the Romans,” he said.

Anorue urged Igbos in Lagos to reject any attempts by politicians to incite conflict, stressing that mutual respect and cooperation were key to the state’s continued development.

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Hardline conservative Sanae Takaichi has been elected by lawmakers in Japan as prime minister.

She was elected on Tuesday, Oct. 21, making her the first woman in modern times to lead the county.

Takaichi, 64, the new leader of the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), was elected by lawmakers in the lower house of parliament by a vote of 237-149 over her closest rival, Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the liberal opposition Constitutional Democratic Party. She was also elected by upper house lawmakers in a second vote of 125-46 after falling one vote shy of a majority in the first round.

Her election is a milestone in a country where women are severely underrepresented in government.

Takaichi enters office with a fragile coalition and facing a number of pressing challenges, including a visit next week by President Donald Trump.

A protege of assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi advocates a stronger military, tougher immigration policies and the revision of Japan’s pacifist constitution. She is a veteran politician who has served as minister of economic security, internal affairs and gender equality.

Earlier this month Takaichi was elected leader of the LDP, which has governed Japan almost uninterrupted since World War II, after running unsuccessfully in 2021 and 2024. Her ascension to prime minister was thrown into doubt, however, after a crucial partner, the centrist party Komeito, left the LDP coalition.

To ensure her victory, the LDP signed a deal on Monday with the Osaka-based Japan Innovation Party, or Ishin, that will pull its coalition further to the right.

Even with the alliance, Takaichi faces an uphill battle in parliament, where she falls short of a majority in both houses after the LDP suffered major losses in recent elections amid voter anger over party corruption scandals and the rising cost of living.

“She emerges from this a diminished leader from the get-go,” said Jeff Kingston, a professor of Asian studies and history at Temple University’s Japan campus.

Takaichi also faces an early test next week with the arrival of Trump, who is making his first trip to Asia since returning to office. He is expected to visit Malaysia and Japan before continuing on to South Korea, which is hosting a major summit of Asia-Pacific economies.

“She doesn’t have a whole lot of time to get ready for a slew of diplomatic activity,” Kingston said. “But I think job one is the Japanese economy.”

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