Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration and also president of the National Hajj Commission, Paul Atanga Nji, has turned the send-off of Muslim pilgrims into a political rally.
While presiding at a send-off ceremony at the Garoua International Airport on Thursday, he said the pilgrims were going to pray that God should give President Paul Biya a long life.
He spoke as he oversaw the departure to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, of the first segment of the 4,500 Cameroonian pilgrims.
“They are thanking the Head of State for his constant assistance, and that is why they are going to pray that God should give President Paul Biya good health and a long life. And to be, once again, the champion as usual during the 2025 election, “ he said.
According to him, more than ever, Cameroonians need the experience of President Paul Biya.
For that, he said the pilgrims are going to pray that God should give Biya wisdom and strength to continue to lead Cameroon.
Over FCFA 1 Billion Subvention
This year, the government subvention to pilgrims, according to Atanga Nji, was FCFA 1,570,000,000 for the 4,500 pilgrims.
This money will help subsidise the pilgrims who will stay in Saudi for some days to perform the annual Hajj.
It is one of the five pillars of Islam, and only those who have the means are obligated to perform it.
Ahead of the pilgrims’ departure, Atanga Nji said the Head of State had ordered the renovation of the Garoua Airport’s runway.
That was because Ethiopian Airlines, which signed a partnership with the government to transport the pilgrims, had complained that the runway was too small for its large carriers.
However, other pilgrim departures are expected to kick off in Douala, Littoral Region.
Though Minister Atanga Nji might have used it to drum up support for Biya, it is uncertain whether the 92-year-old will stand for this October’s Presidential election.
He has been president since 1982.
