October 12’25 : Bamileke Endorse Issa Tchiroma, Call Him ‘God’s Envoy’
By Synthia Lateu
A group of Bamileke community members has endorsed presidential candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary ahead of the October polls. The delegation from the West region, which visited him on September 3, said they had examined the 12 presidential contenders and found in Tchiroma a trustworthy leader, describing him as “God’s envoy” and pledging him 100% of their votes.
“We are in 2025. We, natives of the West, scrutinize the 12 candidates in the presidential election. Among them is a Bamiléké: Mr. Pierre Kwemo of Bafang. Since our goal is to find the Messiah who will protect the egg we always hold in our palms, we do not believe in him because he fails to convince us,” the delegation’s spokesperson declared, stressing that their choice was not motivated by tribalism.
He recalled moments in history when the Bamileke rallied behind leaders such as Um Nyobe, John Fru Ndi, and Maurice Kamto—not because of their origins, but because of their ideology. The spokesperson also cautioned that, as in the past, regime supporters may resort to tribalistic insults against this new alliance. “Let these words not discourage us,” he said firmly.
During the meeting, the West community representatives reaffirmed their support for the FSNC’s political program.They decorated Issa Tchiroma with Ndap traditional attire and other symbols of honor, calling it a “lifetime union” and invoking God’s blessings upon him.
Tchiroma welcomed the endorsement, describing it as a sign of trust and national unity. He also reiterated the main pillars of his program: social justice, solidarity, and the modernization of Cameroon’s economy.
The endorsement comes amid speculation about where votes from the Bamileke community will go following the disqualification of Maurice Kamto. With attention turning to the North, Tchiroma has emerged as a frontrunner in pre-election surveys, alongside another former minister from the region, Bello Bouba Maigari.
In a recent open letter to National Assembly Speaker Cavayé Yéguié Djibril, Tchiroma, ahead of the elections raised alarm over the critical situation of the Far North. He accused regional elites of betraying their responsibilities by leaving their people in poverty and called for the recovery of economic sovereignty. He also extended a hand to West region economic operators for interregional cooperation.
By rallying behind Issa Tchiroma, the West region signals a possible shift in voting dynamics, while reinforcing Tchiroma’s image as a unifying figure whose appeal now stretches from the Far North to the Bamileke ahead of the October 12 presidential election.
