The governing Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) will, on March 24, celebrate 40 years of existence. In 1985, during a Congress in Bamenda, the party changed its name from the Cameroon National Union (CNU) to the CPDM. The party have shown some signs of unease after a recent opinion poll revealed that their candidate is not favoured to win.
This year’s celebration occurs as the country approaches its presidential elections, expected to take place in October. 92-year-old President Paul Biya, according to the CPDM, is their statutory candidate for the major electoral consultation.
SG Drums Up Support
In a circular to party militants in the build-up to the party’s anniversary, Jean Nkuete, Secretary General of the Central Committee of the CPDM, called on militants, supporters and sympathisers to rally behind their candidate, Paul Biya.
The rallying call of the CPDM secretary general comes after recent opinion polls show dwindling support for the world’s oldest leader amongst Cameroonian voters.
The theme for this year’s celebration, according to the party’s scribe, is “Let us all stand ready, behind President Paul BIYA, to take up the challenge of a clear, transparent and unambiguous victory for the CPDM candidate in the presidential election.”
With lofty promises for youths and women, the party that has been in power since its creation 40 years ago called on grassroots leaders to ensure what he calls “optimal” celebration.
He also indicated that the celebrations main objective is mobilizing for the upcoming elections
“Besides, they need to organise popular events in order to bring together militants of all ranks as well as the general public, with the main objective of preparing the great mobilization for the presidential election, in which the participation of all CPDM supporters will be imperative,” he stated, outlining messages that should characterise the event.
CPDM candidate down in opinion polls.
An opinion poll recently conducted amongst Cameroonian voters by the AllPo platform shows the CPDM candidate as an unwanted favorite to prolong his more than four decades stay in power
According to the polls, opposition Member of Parliament and leader of the PCRN party , Cabral Libii, appears as a favourite to win the 2025 presidential election.
Statistics of the polls put Cabral Libi as favourite with 27% of the vote, with Paul Biya trailing behind with 23.5%.
Maurice Kamto, another front runner for the top job, comes third with 20.4%
Other candidates like Akere Muna, Osih Joshua, Tomaino Ndam Njoya, and Joseph Biyong polled less than 15%.
