October 12’25 : Osih Rejects Coalition Talks, Calls Them Regime Distraction
By Synthia Lateu
Presidential candidate Joshua Osih has dismissed ongoing debates about an opposition coalition ahead of the October 12 presidential election, describing them as distractions orchestrated by the ruling regime.
He was speaking in Yaoundé on August 19 after a press conference organized by his party, the Social Democratic Front (SDF), where they unveiled what they termed a “Rescue Plan for Cameroon”, a contract of hope and accountability built on justice, inclusion, democracy, and unity.
Osih argued that bringing opposition parties together is not the solution to unseating the 43-year-old regime.
“Today we know it ( coalition) is Etoudi’s laboratory, that of Mr. Biya who is sending across the information to distract Cameroonians,” Osih declared. He added that the idea of a coalition is designed to make citizens believe that unless opposition parties unite, they cannot win elections.
“When someone relays these ideas, they are simply playing a role in that laboratory…the ultimate goal is to keep voter abstention at its peak,” he warned.
Osih further suggested that calls for a coalition are often amplified by civil society organizations or political parties “that have nothing to lose.”
“We believe in union, we believe strongly that unity is strength. We have no problem with that. But what you call a coalition is not necessarily a union,” he emphasized. “It is risky to embark on an adventure where a party with everything to lose joins hands with another that has nothing to lose… The day a political party that has everything to lose, like the SDF comes to see us to talk about collaboration, I will be the first to sit at the table.”
According to Osih, opposition parties should each be allowed to present their visions to the people. He stressed that he prefers having as many candidates as possible in the election and opposes what he described as fraudulent moves aimed at sidelining certain contenders.
He went on to stress that the country is in an autocracy, and if the regime prevents him from running, he will put forward another SDF candidate or support someone else.
Osih also likened the debate over coalition to discussions around an imperative mandate, which he said “brings nothing” to the table.
His comments come as speculation grows about whether the SDF might join coalition talks currently underway. Since the validation of candidacies, many Cameroonians have urged the opposition to unite against the long-ruling regime. Negotiations between party leaders have reportedly intensified, with some initiatives even involving candidates whose files were rejected, as efforts continue to build consensus.
Presently, 12 candidates are set to challenge incumbent President Paul Biya, though that number could shrink before election day.
