(YAOUNDE – Oct. 2025) – Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who has gone from government spokesperson to opponent, thrusts Cameroon into political suspense by proclaiming his own decisive victory in the presidential election held on October 12, 2025. This declaration took the form of a video message distributed widely on Tuesday and stirred activities across the country, receiving immediate pushback from the ruling party, even before official results had emerged.
Tchiroma’s self-assured assertion that “Our victory is clear. It must be respected” relates to both the contest’s dramatic atmosphere, as well as the larger fissures within Cameroonian politics.
The Proclamation: A Self-Declared Triumph
Tchiroma informed the people of Garoua, where he grew up, in a nearly 5-minute statement shared on Facebook, that he declared an “overwhelming victory”. He called upon the country’s 92-year-old president Paul Biya, who is the longest-serving sitting head of state in the world, to “honor the truth of the ballot box” and concede. “The people made their decision, and that decision must be honored,” he proclaimed to frame his campaign as a sign of a new era in Cameroon.
His party claims they will soon come forward with detailed regional vote counts based on preliminary, publicly displayed counts from each polling unit. Tchiroma repeatedly framed the claim of victory as not just his, but “the victory of the people,” thanking other candidates who had called to congratulate him and calling on the army and other state officials to “be loyal to the republic, not to the regime”.
Official Reaction: Government Pushback and Legal Warnings
The government of Cameroon responded promptly with caution and reminder concerning established electoral law. The Constitutional Council, which is the only authority to announce results, has until October 26 to render a final outcome, even though candidates are free to share results from polling units. Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji advised that any claim of victory independent of official results could be construed as “high treason,” and escalate both the legal and political risk profile for those in the opposition.
Meanwhile, Biya’s ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) formally rejected Tchiroma’s claims. Deputy Secretary-General Gregoire Owona stated that Tchiroma and the opposition do not have access to the full results and that they “did not win” according to other loyalists of Biya.
Election Climate: A Landmark Challenge to Biya’s Rule
At a critical moment for Cameroon, where economic stagnation, rising public dissent and insecurity emerge in Anglophone regions, Tchiroma makes his challenge. Since 1982, Biya has maintained power through patronage systems, manipulation of state media, and regular crackdowns on opposition. However, after the former employment minister stepped down in June, Tchiroma has built a wide opposition coalition with civic groups and smaller parties, drawing unexpectedly large crowds and excited participation into the campaign—especially among young and urban voters.
His impressive momentum has forced the ruling party and government to take his challenge more seriously than any for the last several decades. Although many analysts suggested the Biya’s inevitable control over the administrative machinery of the state would win out ultimately, Tchiroma is not deterred by caution and instead continues to build on the uncertainty he triggered with bold rhetoric and claims of victory.
Voter Defiance, Democratic Aspirations
Tchiroma hailed the voters who “stood up to intimidation and remained in polling stations late into the night to protect their vote.” All of this work is about making claims about the “peaceful” acceptance of the results, while pushing the notion that ownership by the people would be a “clear sanction” of Biya and a statement arising from the maturity of democracy in the nation.
Tchiroma also made direct appeals to the military and government officials to support the will of the people, and not contribute to their “regime” against settled republican values.
Media, Civil Society and 2018 echoes
The social media platform has heightened tensions. Both camps have circulated images of tally sheets and even a board showing unofficial vote counts. Tchiroma’s declaration has evoked memories of Maurice Kamto proclaiming victory after the 2018 presidential election; Kamto was arrested, and his supporters were dispersed aggressively when the latter characterized Biya’s election claims for the presidency in the same manner prior to the final votes being confirmed by the council. Both local and international observers are keen observers of the situation, mindful of the likelihood of civil unrest or retaliatory abuse against the state after a unilateral victory claims.
Next Steps: Risk, Path Forward
Official results are not expected for nearly two weeks. At this moment, Cameroon appears at a political crossroads. While Tchiroma vowed to continue publishing his own records of the vote counts by district to bolster his claim of victory, the government has signalled a zero tolerance to those in the camp who announce victory results. Analysts note that self-announced or self-claimed warrior posture can be unifying to supporters, but risks destabilizing the political period that follows an election timing, especially if both camps organize around competing narratives.
Civil society, as well as international observers, call for calm, procedural legitimacy and respectfulness, and transparency. The next week or so will prove to be important days, in much the same way that this the day of the election is once the results arrive on the same day. Will the results of the election change in the political landscape or opportunities for security? And even beyond election, and on learning to exercise the right to vote, what precedent is established?
As Issa Tchiroma Bakary claims a people’s victory, Cameroon’s institutions and citizens will soon get an official pronouncement and brace themselves for either a peaceful transfer of power, growing division, or a reaffirmation of the status quo.
With eyes across Africa and around the world eager for evidence of Cameroon’s democratic future, and ability to hold elections that are credible, transfer power peacefully and be accountable to its citizens—Cameroon’s democratic future is uncertain.