Cameroon’s opposition leader, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has declared himself the winner of the October 12, 2025, presidential election, warning he will not accept what he calls a “stolen vote.” In an interview with the BBC, the 76-year-old politician said his campaign had compiled results from polling stations nationwide and was certain of victory ahead of the official announcement scheduled for Monday, October 27, 2025.
Tchiroma Bakary, a former government minister who broke ranks with long-serving President Paul Biya, 92, said his team’s data left “no shadow of doubt” about his triumph. “I know that I have already won the presidential election. My victory is undeniable,” he stated confidently.
The ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) swiftly dismissed Tchiroma Bakary’s claims, calling them “illegal and premature.” Government officials reiterated that only the Constitutional Council has the authority to declare official results, warning that any parallel announcements could incite unrest.
Unfazed, Tchiroma Bakary urged his supporters to “defend their votes,” insisting he was unafraid of arrest. He accused the ruling party of being “cornered” and challenged it to prove him wrong with evidence. “We will never accept their votes being stolen by anyone,” he said, adding that his declaration was not against the law.
When asked whether he would concede defeat, Tchiroma Bakary maintained he would accept the outcome only if the results “reflect the will of the people, not ballot stuffing.”
Tensions are high across Cameroon as the country awaits the official announcement. The influential Catholic Church has called for calm, urging authorities to ensure transparency and fairness in the process. “We hope the official result will reflect the will of the electorate,” the bishops said, warning against any manipulation that could ignite post-election violence in a nation already grappling with separatist and insurgent conflicts.
