By Njodzeka Kernyuy
There are high chances that Ndim Jacob Ngong, a Buea farmer who got the boot from the presidential race, might take on his disqualification head-on at the Constitutional Council.
The council kicked off hearing petitions on Monday after Elections Cameroon rolled out a list of just 13 qualified candidates from the 83 who threw their hats in the ring.
Ndim Jacob Ngong’s candidacy was shot down for a bunch of reasons—missing a voter card, not coughing up the 30 million FCFA fee, lacking 300 signatures, nationality issues, and no birth certificate.
But Ndim isn’t throwing in the towel. He reckons that the election body Elecam messed up and has filed a petition with the Constitutional Council, banking on getting his shot at the top job back.
Right now, he’s at the Constitutional Council hearing, but he’s flying solo—no lawyer by his side like the big shots.
“I was hoping to get a lawyer from here. The lawyer I called disappointed me and didn’t show up, so I will defend my case alone,” he told MMI via a phone call.
Ndim joins a crowded field of petitioners, including heavyweights like Maurice Kamto, Bertin Kisob, and Shewa Jestel, all gunning to overturn Elecam’s calls.
The council is tackling 36 petitions so far, according to state media CRTV. And it’s not just about reinstating candidacies—some are also throwing shade at the folks Elecam greenlit.
Cameroon’s 92-year-old President Paul Biya got the nod from Elecam to chase an eighth term, but that has ruffled feathers.
Several politicians are challenging his spot on the ballot. Take Leon Theiller Onana, who wanted to run for the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement.
His file got the axe from Elecam for missing a party investiture and has further been rejected by the Constitutional Council, dampening his hopes.
The hearing is still rolling, and word on the street is security’s been cranked up around the court premises and at public places in Yaounde.
That’s likely because Maurice Kamto’s supporters had rallied to show up and make their voices heard.
