Opposition MPs betray Nintcheu in bid for National Assembly speaker role

Hon Jean Michel Nintcheu has been floored at the House Bureau election of the National Assembly.

The opposition figure gained just one vote out of 161 as his MP colleagues voted today.

Nintcheu lost to ace politician, Hon Cavaye Yeguie of the ruling CPDM party who garnerwd a whooping 148 votes. 13 null votes were cast.

Cavaye therefore maintains his position as speaker of the national assembly, a seat he has held since he entered parliament in 1992, 30 years ago.

Nintcheu’s humiliating defeat comes just days after four opposition parties in parliament formed a coalition to enhance their common objectives.

Among the signatories to that agreement was his SDF party.

The SDF Littoral strongman’s defeat at the National Assembly is interpreted as more of betrayal, as his even his own party members could not save face for him.

Cavaye’s election as house speaker was one of other positions for which MPs were voted into the national Assembly bureau.

In usual style, Cavaye expressed his gratitude to President Paul Biya before his fellow MPs.

His words: “I want to express my gratitude to the head of state, national president of the Cameroon Peoples Democratic Party, my party for the renewed confidence. I have always said and I say again, I have never failed.”

“I want to thank you for your support …” He told colleagues.