The Popular Action Party (PAP) has condemned a decision by House Speaker, Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, naming the National Assembly building after President Paul Biya.
On January 6, Hon. Cavaye, in a decree, named the newly constructed parliament building as ‘Paul Biya Glass House’.
The decision did not state why the building, which was built by China, has been named after President Biya.
It is possible the decision came from his CPDM party members, who occupy over 80 percent of all parliamentary seats.
In a statement, the Popular Action Party condemned the move.
The party said it “violates the fundamental principles of democracy.”
The PAP recalled that the National Assembly belongs to all Cameroonians, not an individual.
Criticising Members of Parliament for the decision, the PAP termed it a “gross violation of the constitution.”.
Hon Cavaye Yeguie Djibril claimed bureau members of the National Assembly accepted to name the building after Biya.
“Also, the bureau members of the PAP have overstepped their constitutional authority, ignoring the principles of democracy by making this decision without consulting the Cameroonian people,” the PAP said.
“This decision breaks the principle of separation of power between the Legislative and the Executive Arms and puts to question the independence to control government action,” he went on.
He called on members of the National Assembly Bureau “to respect Cameroonians and reverse this decision.”.
The PAP proposed that the bureau should change its name to “National House of Assembly.”.
It said this will reflect the representative purpose of the National Assembly to the Cameroonian people.
Parliament Honors Former Speakers
Apart from naming its building after Biya, the National Assembly Bureau also named some committee rooms after influential parliamentarians.
The house named some committee rooms after Marcel Marigoh Mboua, Speaker of the Federal National Assembly of Cameroon from 1962 to 1972 and Solomon Tandeng Muna, Speaker of the National Assembly of Cameroon from 1973 to 1988.
