Ndim Jacob Petitions Constitutional Council Over Candidacy Rejection

By Njodzeka Kernyuy 

Buea-based farmer and presidential aspirant, Ndim Jacob Ngong, has petitioned the constitutional council  after the election management body, ELECAM, rejected his candidacy application.

Talking to MMI from Yaounde on Monday, he confirmed submitting his appeal.

Ndim Jacob was among 70 presidential aspirants barred from the race by Elecam. Only 13 applications were considered valid.

According to Ndim, his file was disqualified because his birth certificate was not certified, he lacked non-conviction, and the voter’s card too was lacking.

When MMI asked whether he had obtained 300 signatures from MPs and Councillors demanded from every independent candidate, he answered in the affirmative.

“We got the signatures. I was working with Asong Michael. Since he didn’t contest, he gave me some of his signatures,” he stated over the telephone conversation.

Ndim, more than a week ago on the MMI flagship program, Road to Etoudi, had said he had difficulties securing signatures from the South Region, President Paul Biya’s region of origin.

Filing as an independent candidate, Ndim Jacob was obliged by the Electoral Code to secure 300 signatures—30 from each of the country’s 10 regions.

“The Constitutional Council received the file and said they will call me,” Ndim told MMI.

The Buea-based farmer hopes to overturn ELECAM’s decision and contest to unseat the world’s oldest leader, Paul Biya, who has been ruling since 1982.

13 Candidates Retained by ELECAM

Last Saturday, ELECAM published a list of qualified candidates who will contest for the presidency on October 12.

The list contained names of 13 candidates, including Paul Biya, Cabral Libii, Akere Muna, Hiram Samuel Iyodi, Ateki Seta Caxton, Joshua Osih, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, and Tomaino Ndam Njoya.

Among the files rejected was that of frontline opposition leader, Maurice Kamto.