Anxiety In Cameroon As Issa Tchiroma Declares Victory Against Paul Biya In Oct 12 Presidential Election

There is anxiety in Cameroon as oopposition leader, Issa Tchiroma Bakary,  has declared himself winner of the country’s presidential election, even as official results are yet to be released.
Bakery made the declaration late Monday following the October 12 election, calling on President Paul Biya to accept defeat and “respect the truth of the ballot box.”
He spoke via a five-minute video posted on his Facebook page early Tuesday.
Speaking from his hometown of Garoua in northern Cameroon,  Tchiroma noted that his mandate was irrivocable. 
His words, "Our victory is clear. It must be respected. The people have chosen. And this choice must be respected." 
However, Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji has warned that any unauthorized declaration of results would be treated as “high treason,” noting that only the Constitutional Council has the authority to declare the winner.
According to the government, only the Constitutional Council can announce the winner.
The council has up to two weeks until October 26 to release the final results.
Tchiroma, 76, once a close ally of Biya and a government spokesman for two decades, emerged as Biya’s main challenger after resigning from the administration in June.
His campaign attracted massive rallies and gained backing from opposition parties and civic groups.
Biya, 92, who has ruled for 43 years is currently the world’s oldest serving head of state. He is widely expected to retain power due to his control over government structures and a divided opposition
Meanwhile, at the time of this report, there had been no official reaction from the government to  Tchiroma Bakary’s announcement.
Under Cameroon’s electoral law, preliminary results can be displayed at polling stations, but the outcome must be validated by the Constitutional Council.
In his video message, filmed in front of the national flag, Bakary urged Biya to acknowledge the election outcome and congratulate him, saying such a gesture would demonstrate “political maturity” and strengthen Cameroon’s democracy.
The 76-year-old described the results as “a clear rejection” of Biya’s rule and “the beginning of a new era.”
He further expressed gratitude to rival candidates who had, according to him, already recognized his victory.
“I also thank candidates who have already sent me their congratulations and recognised the will of the people.
“We have placed the regime before its responsibilities: either it shows greatness by accepting the truth of the ballot box, or it chooses to plunge the country into turmoil that will leave an indelible scar in the heart of our nation,” he warned, urging state institutions and the military to accept the will of the people and remain loyal to the republic.
There was outrage after 92-year-old, Biya announced that he will run for an eighth term in this October 2025 election.