2018 Presidential Election:

North Westerner React to  Biya’s Candidature

By Njodzefe Nestor in Bamenda

Paul and Chantal Biya are likely to continue
at the Unity Palace for another seven years 

On July 13, Paul laid to respect speculations whether he will run for the upcoming presidential elections by making an unusual twitter outing in his official twitter page and telling Cameroonian at home and abroad that he has decided to run again.

            “Dear Compatriots in Cameroon & the Diaspora, Aware of the challenges we must take up together to ensure a more united, stable & prosperous Cameroon, I am willing to respond positively to your overwhelming calls. I will stand as Your Candidate in the upcoming presidential election”, the tweet reads.

            No sooner did he make the announcement did people of the North West who like those of the South West region have been suffering as a result of the Cameroon Anglophone crisis start reacting variously to his decision. While very have expressed satisfaction at the news, many others have expressed disapproval and are faulting him for his insensitiveness to the plight of the Anglophones.

            Some Cameroonians in their reaction are of the opinion that Cameroon deserves a younger president, noting that President Biya deserves to ‘rest’.

            He has been president for over three and half decades. I think now that he’s by now supposed to sit somewhere and re-examine his legacy than seeking re-election. It’s a pity and blow to our supposed democracy” fumed Nkwenti Arnold a business man in Bamenda.

            This was corroborated by Njongai Princely a History teacher in one of the primary schools in Bambili. “For over 30 years now during my general knowledge lessons I have been teaching my students and year in year that the President of Cameroon is Paul Biya. Come on, even if Cameroonians are not tired of him, I am tired of referring to the same person in my notes as president”.

            Many others have frown at his insensitiveness to the crisis that have rocked the North West and South West regions faulting him for thinking only about elections and undermining the plight and suffering of the population especially those that have been displaced.

            “It is unfortunate that Paul Biya is thinking only about elections when the military continue to kill, maim and burn the houses of innocent civilians. The crisis keep degenerating by the day, but instead of seeking a peaceful redress, the president instead calls for elections? It is really really unfortunate. I am ashamed of this country” regretted Ngwa Pius a civil servant in Bamenda.

            Despite this open outrage towards Biya’s candidacy, some north westerners think that Paul Biya is needed as president for him to solve the ongoing Anglophone crisis. They also believe that a successor has not been prepared and that if a new president comes in now, he might plunge the country into a civil war.