How Tchiroma’s Victory in Fako Pushes the Government to Promise Unrealistic Projects

The Fako Division had long been known as the stronghold of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) party in the Southwest region. However, it appears Tchiroma has thrown spanners in the works.

This has now changed such that the ruling government is eager to regain control by reviving promises of projects that have been pending for years.

During the October 12 presidential election, the CPDM suffered its heaviest defeat in the division.

The FSNC, the party of Issa Tchiroma Bakary—which was previously little known—handed the ruling party a major upset, something Cameroon had not witnessed in decades.

Tchiroma secured a landslide victory in Fako, even though the municipal councils and parliamentary seats in the division are still held by the CPDM.

The election sent a clear message—the people of Fako are tired of the CPDM.

In response, the government hopes to mend broken ties and win back voters ahead of the upcoming municipal and parliamentary elections early next year.

Now, the Limbe Seaport—first announced in 1975 under former President Ahidjo—is back in the news. The government has stated that construction will begin soon. This is the same line it has repeated for decades, especially whenever elections approach. Meetings are held here and there; the Senior Divisional Officer gives assurances. But once the elections are over, the project dies.

In addition, the government recently announced plans to build a new road from Tiko through Bimbia to Limbe. Meetings have already taken place, and speeches have been made—but action is what remains lacking.

The government talks about building a new road, yet the existing ones are in a state of disrepair. The Bekoko-Limbe-Idenau and Mutengene-Buea roads are still in urgent need of rehabilitation.

Years ago, the government announced the construction of a road from Tollgate in Misselele through Monde to Liongo in Buea. That road has yet to see a single concrete stone laid.

Now, the government has also promised the immediate construction of the Tiko International Airport—a project that has seen repeated pledges over the decades.

The airport was once functional, but it was the very government that allowed it to fall into disuse. The abandonment led to encroachment on its land. Now, the government has secured another site and claims the airport will be built there. This is not the first time these projects have been promised.

Whenever there is public agitation or an election is nearing, the government adopts the same playbook—renewing promises it has made many times before.

This time, however, there is real concern that with the major upset in the last election, the council and parliamentary seats in Fako could be swept away—because they have failed to deliver, and the voters are no longer passive to government actions.