Catholic Priest Declares Candidacy for 2026 Parliamentary Election

Reverend Father Ludovic Lado, a Jesuit Priest of the Roman Catholic Church, has declared his intention to run for Parliament in the 2026 local elections.

The 54-year-old priest made the declaration in a social media post Friday, December 27.

This is despite restrictions provided by Canon law on priests holding political or civil posts in the community.

He is a long time advocate of good governance, human rights, and an anti-corruption campaigner in Cameroon.

Announcing his bid for Parliament, he said those clamouring for change must take control of the legislative body.

“The forces of change in Cameroon must take control of parliament in 2026. I am no longer excluding being a parliamentary candidate in the Bamboutos in 2026,” the Catholic Priest said.

He has not disclosed the political party under which he will present himself for election.

Ludovic Lado has been a vocal critic of President Paul Biya’s regime, which has ruled Cameroon for 42 years today.

Early this year, he created a movement called “Servir”, translated in English as “serve”.

With the slogan, “Social justice, common good,” the movement aimed to mobilize the Christian electorate for massive participation in the 2025 presidential elections where 91-year-old President Paul Biya might be contesting.

Can a Priest Become an MP?

Rev Fr Ludovic Lado’s announcement of his intention to contest for Parliamentary elections has raised debates on whether priests can present themselves for election into public offices.

Canon 285 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law prohibits Catholic clergy from holding public offices that involve civil power.

However, in some cases, the priest needs permission from the Bishop to do so.

Contacted via text message, a Catholic Priest told MMI,” The National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon does not allow it”.

Born in 1970, Ludovic Lado is an academic and Jesuit priest.

He holds a doctoral degree in social anthropology from Oxford University and is the author of “Catholic Pentecostalism and the Paradoxes of Africanization”.