Niat, Cavaye: Leaders of yesterday, today & tomorrow!.

Both ageing personalities retained their crowns, Friday, during separate plenary sittings held at the National Assembly and the Senate.

Political analysts, reacting to the re-election of the ageing Niat and Cavaye, were unanimous that the Biya regime singsong of: “Our youth are the leaders of tomorrow”, has no place in the current political setup in Cameroon.

A top regime official, who pleaded to stay anonymous, told this reporter: “If at 89 and 84, with both Niat and Cavaye respectively, looking tired and worn out, could still be entrusted with the second and third personalities of the State, then the right thing to say is that they [Niat, Cavaye], are leaders of yesterday, today and tomorrow”. 

The belated elections were held, close to three weeks after the March Session of parliament began. The election of bureau members at both Houses of Parliament were delayed, following the absence of Marcel Niat Njifenji, who was seeking medical attention abroad. He was rushed home last week, days before Friday’s plenary sitting. 

During Friday’s elections, Marcel Niat and Cavaye Yeguie, as was expected, were re-elected by an absolute majority of validly cast votes. 

As has been the tradition for years, both Niat and Cavaye, stood the elections unopposed.

In office since 2013, when the Senate went operational, Marcel Niat Njifenji, was re-elected by an absolute majority of votes cast.

The octogenarian grabbed 91 votes out of 95 cast, to emerge victorious. There were four invalid ballots. 

Once re-elected, Niat, who has been suffering from failing health, first thanked the Head of State, and his peers for what he described as “renewed” confidence.

"I thank you for your renewed confidence," he told his peers after his re-election. Besides Niat Njifenji, other members of the senate bureau were also elected.

Long serving First Vice President of the Senate, Aboubakary Abdoulaye, was also re-elected with 100% of the votes cast, i.e. 95 votes out of 95 cast. 

The only new face among the 17 re-elected members of the Senate bureau is the CPDM Senator from the Ocean Division in the South Region, Grégoire Mba Mba.

The billionaire businessman and veteran politician was elected questor. He replaces Senator Paulette Bisseck, who died in July last year.

The elective plenary session at the Senate, it should be said, was chaired by the oldest member of the House, former minister René Ze Nguele.

Similar drama at the National Assembly

At the National Assembly, the Rt Hon Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, who has been House Speaker since 1992, retained his ‘throne’ during Friday’s votes.

The meeting was chaired by the oldest member of the House, Hon Laurentine Koa Mfegue Epse Mbede.

Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, the outgoing president was the sole candidate for the race. 

Elected by a majority of votes validly cast, the CPDM Member of Parliament for Mayo-Sava Division in the Far North Region, secured 143 votes out of 156 cast to emerge victorious.

There were 13 invalid ballots. Following his re-election, the veteran politician, expressed his gratitude to the party that invested him, and to all his colleagues.

"Better than in the past, I will do my utmost to further deserve this very high trust. Commitment, loyalty and fidelity, that's my lifelong motto," said Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, who couldn’t hold back his emotions. 

The vote was also almost 100% for long serving First Vice President of the National Assembly, Hon Hilarion Etong.

The lawmaker from the Centre Region, received 141 votes out of 155 voters. There were14 invalid ballots. The election was uninominal, with an absolute majority of valid votes cast.

As for the other 21 members of the bureau of the National Assembly, the vast majority were re-elected to their various positions on a list system that takes into consideration the political configuration of the National Assembly. 

The only change was the election of Hon Julien Bara, CPDM Member of Parliament, MP, for Mayo-Danay Division of the Far North Region.

The female MP was elected as one of the Secretaries of the bureau. She replaces the late Hon Isabelle Silikam, who until her demise, was MP for Mayo Danay.