A planned political meeting in Lagdo over the weekend ended in public disapproval as former MP Yerima Dewa, now a leading figure in the Action for Change and Conscience (ACC) party, was booed by local residents after unexpectedly calling for support for President Paul Biya and the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (RDPC) in the upcoming 2025 presidential election.
Dewa’s statement, which some attendees described as “condescending,” immediately shifted the mood of the gathering. A political appeal quickly became the source of tension, as the audience reacted with visible displeasure. Attendees reportedly walked out, and voices of protest grew louder.
“Il a osé ! Il ose insulter notre intelligence ?” shouted an angry young man. (“He dared! Is he insulting our intelligence?”)
Others chanted, “À bas les traîtres !” (“Down with the traitors!”)
Security Intervenes Amid Rising Tension
The former parliamentarian had to be escorted out by security personnel amid growing hostility. Eyewitnesses reported that the atmosphere became increasingly volatile, and intervention by security forces likely prevented the situation from escalating further.
Some residents expressed frustration not only with Dewa’s message but with what they view as repeated political opportunism in the region.
“Quiconque tourne le dos au peuple sera hué comme Yerima. Quiconque trahit notre combat sera rejeté,” said a local community elder. (“Anyone who turns their back on the people will be booed like Yerima. Anyone who betrays our struggle will be rejected.”)
Growing Discontent in the North
The backlash against Yerima Dewa reflects a broader sentiment in northern Cameroon. Many citizens in the region feel marginalised and politically manipulated during every electoral cycle. There is growing public resentment toward local political actors perceived as aligning with central power in exchange for personal gain.
Analysts suggest that this event may influence the political behavior of other northern leaders ahead of the 2025 elections. Among the names mentioned is Hon. Salmana, a known associate of Issa Tchiroma Bakary, whom some suspect may be planning a similar shift in allegiance.
Clear Demand for Political Integrity
In the streets of Lagdo, the public message appears clear: voters are demanding transparency, commitment, and genuine representation. Citizens increasingly reject last-minute political alignments, demanding more accountability from their leaders.
This incident, while local in scale, may signal wider political consequences for parties and candidates relying on traditional top-down mobilisation strategies in Cameroon’s northern regions.
