Cameroon’s Ministry of Territorial Administration (MINAT) has recently been at the center of political activities brewing controveriies. This comes few months to the October 2025 Presidential elections.
The controversies arise because these activities however are not for the interest of the Cameroonian people but for 91-year old incumbent President Paul Biya. Biya is likely to seek to extend his 42 year reign under the ticket of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Paul Atanga Nji, MINAT boss has been using his office to mobilize allies for the CPDM leader President Biya.
Atanga Nji is expected to perform state duties, but he is now carrying out CPDM duties in an institution that should remain free of partisan activities.
Coercive Politics
In recent days disputed opposition leaders and CPDM inclined traditional rulers have held meetings with the MINAT boss. They used this to declare their support for the ‘statutory’ candidate of the CPDM Paul Biya. This raises questions of the impartiality of state institutions in the country.
In October 2025, Paul Atanga Nji received Robert Bapoh Lipot, a factional leader of the UPC political party. This was a few days after another faction endorsed Akere Muna as presidential candidate.
A Message posted on the social media handle of MINAT acknowledged that Robert Bapoh Lipot led a delegation to meet with Atanga Nji.
“The guests of MINAT came to discuss issues relating to current political events, but above all, to reaffirm their unconditional support for the candidacy of the President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul BIYA during the 2025 presidential elections”
Again on January 31, the ministry announced that four opposition political parties attended a meeting in the conference hall of the ministry. They used the opportunity to declare their support for the incumbent to seek re-election.
They included personalities who were ejected from the political parties they claim to represent. One of such is Robert Kona, former leader of the PCRN which a court barred him from acting in the party’s name.
The Bapoh Lipot UPC faction which did so in October last year was also part of the meeting.
“The officials of the Union des Population du Cameroon (UPC), the Democratic Movement for the Defense of the Republic (MDR), the PCRN (Camerounian Party for National Reconciliation) and the Republican Party of Farmers du Cameroon (PRAC), solemnly launched this 31 January 2025, the call formulated by their respective base in support of the candidacy of the President of the Republic Paul Biya in the presidential election next October,” MINAT announced.
Abuse of Power
On January 28, Minister Atanga Nji welcomed traditional rulers from the three Northern regions in the main hall of the ministry. Following this meeting, they presented a memorandum outlining the leaders’ support for Biya’s candidature.
Commentators and political actors have described the activities of Minister Atanga Nji as abuse of power and state institutions.
Meanwhile, Lawan Bako, leader of UDP, a political party allied to CPDM, calls for Atanga Nji to be held accountable.
A Cameroonian political scientist told MMI that ministers must separate their official duties from any political activities.
“This ensures that public resources and offices benefit all citizens, rather than serve partisan purposes,” said the political scientist who chose to remain anonymous.
The specifics he said can vary depending on the laws and regulations of the country in question.
“Some countries have strict guidelines prohibiting such activities, while others may have more lenient rules.” he stated.
