The rally, held on Saturday, September 6, 2025, assembled thousands of supporters and sympathisers of the political outfit who came from the length and breadth of the North West Region, to accord the UNDP presidential candidate a hero’s reception.

The Bamenda rally came after those of Ngaoundere, Meiganga, Bertoua, Limbe among others. When Bello Bouba arrived Bamenda Saturday, he was treated to a hero’s welcome by supporters and curious onlookers who lined the streets of the city to catch a glimpse of the man political watchers say would take Cameroon to the next level, if voted President on October 12, 2025.

In what political analysts have qualified as Bamenda, and by extension, the entire North West Region, saying yes to the UNDP presidential candidate, scores of bike riders, long queue of motorcades, dance groups and a mammoth crowd escorted Bello Bouba from the “Welcome To Bamenda” entrance to the ceremonial ground.

Observers say it was a reception akin to what was reserved only for the late SDF National Chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi, in the 90s.   

Once on the rostrum during Saturday’s ceremony, the former Tourism and Leisure Minister, who recently banged the door on the Biya regime, delivered an emotional address, regretting the suffering the people of the North West Region have endured for decades.

He began: “Today, I stand before you here in Bamenda, a city of courage, a city of history and a city that symbolises Cameroon’s democracy”. 

The veteran politician told the rally that Bamenda is not just any city. 

He recalled that: “It is here that the KNDP was born in 1955, spearheading reunification. It is here that in 1991, sons and daughters of the then North West Province, rose up to restore multiparty democracy. You are the beating heart of our democracy,” he said.

Speaking further, Bello Bouba praised the North West Region for producing national heroes, including Dr John Ngu Foncha, Hon Augustine Jua, John Fru Ndi and Cardinal Tumi, all of blessed memory.

He said: “…their courage reflects yours. Your resilience can change history!”.

“A new chapter for the North West Region…your voices have not been heard. Your children, your farmers and your traders have suffered. But today, a new chapter is opening: a chapter of peace, dignity, and prosperity,” he noted.

The opposition leader said peace is not only the absence of war, but security, trust, and freedom. 

He said peace is about children going back to school, farmers free to cultivate and traders moving without fear.

Bello Bouba said if elected President on October 12, he will consult all stakeholders of the North West on the future of the Region. He said he will open dialogue with separatist leaders for lasting peace and reintegration of those who wish to return while granting the North West Region a special status that respects their educational, legal, and administrative specificities.

He said he will also recognise the history, culture and values of the North West Region to the nation. “You are not forgotten. You are the heart of Cameroon,” he insisted.

He promised to bring jobs, education, and opportunities to young people and families of the Region.

Together, he continued, “We will rehabilitate and modernise the Ring Road; establish an agro-industrial park to process your agricultural products and create jobs, invest in education and train youth in technology and entrepreneurship; expand quality healthcare to the most remote areas; develop energy, including a micro-hydropower plant on the Menchum River”.

He said the North West Region is destined for greatness. “The North West Region is not condemned to be in conflict. It is destined for greatness. Your towns, your people and your culture deserve to shine,” he continued.

In 37 days, on October 12, he said, “your voices will decide the future of Cameroon. Together, let us vote and write a new page of our history. The time has come. The future is in our hands. Let us believe again. Let us rise again. Let us act together to build the Cameroon we all deserve”.  See text of Bello Bouba’s speech elsewhere in this edition.

It is worth recalling that during Saturday’s visit to Bamenda, hundreds of SDF and CPDM supporters dumped the political outfits for the UNDP. They were welcomed and dressed in UNDP colours, by the National President of UNDP, Bello Bouba Maigari.

UNDP making inroads in NW

It should be said that prior to last Saturday’s Bello Bouba’s visit to Bamenda, some prominent members of a group of dismissed senior officials of the Social Democratic Front, SDF, now widely referred to as the G27+, officially joined the UNDP.

They equally declared their support for Bello Bouba, UNDP candidate for the October 12 presidential election. 

The former SDF officials, who were sacked under the SDF’s late National Chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi, for allegedly violating party rules, announced their defection during a press briefing in Bamenda on August 12, 2025. The press briefing was presided by UNDP Secretary General, Senator Pierre Flambeau Ngayap. 

During the event, Hon. Yoyo Emmanuel, former Member of Parliament and Financial Secretary of the SDF, presented a signed declaration on behalf of the group. 

He explained that their endorsement of Bello Bouba stemmed from the conviction that UNDP’s programme is the only one capable of addressing the country’s current challenges. 

He revealed that there are some captivating ideas presented by the UNDP in its political programme that aim at bringing about lasting peace and reconciliation in Cameroon, most particularly in the crisis-battered English-speaking Regions.

Among the proposals he highlighted were the return to federalism, the creation of the post of Vice President and the institution of a rotatory Presidency between Anglophones and Francophones. 

The group argued that Bello Bouba represents a “clean and experienced” leader who can end the protracted armed conflict in the Anglophone Regions, through “humane and realistic policies,” including the release of political prisoners, general amnesty, and inclusive national dialogue.

“This marks a commitment to reconciliation and national renewal,” Hon Yoyo stated, urging Cameroonians to rally behind Bello Bouba in October to usher in a new leadership in the country.

"We have been very attentive, curious and vigilant and have analysed the future programmes or political agenda of every political party and its candidates for the forthcoming presidential election. Our conclusion and our belief are that the UNDP party and its candidate are the only political formation whose political and economic programmes reflect much of what Cameroonians in general and Anglophones in particular look forward to at this very trying moment in the life of our country. Cameroon today is a country and not a nation because of the war imposed on the Anglophone part of the country due to the naivety and arrogance of some individuals in authority who do not see any need for an end to the war," Hon Yoyo asserted.

He added that Bello Bouba is seen by Cameroonians as a leader who is devoid of scandals. In that regard, he opined that the G27+ members from the North West Region think that he is the man of the moment. Yoyo stated that Bello Bouba is somebody who can bring an end to the more than eight-year crisis in the North West and South West Regions.

Credible path forward

On his part, Senator Pierre Flambeau Ngayap, while expressing the UNDP National President’s delight in welcoming the G27+ members into the party, described the occasion as “a celebration of the decision of former SDF leaders to join a party that offers Cameroon a credible path forward”. 

He added that the UNDP is dynamic and well-structured with representatives in the Senate, the National Assembly, Regional Council and municipal councils. He asserted that the UNDP is the second political force in the country.

The North West G27+ member’s decision to join the UNDP, it should be said, came after that of their West Region counterparts, led by Hon. Tsoumelou Jean, who joined the UNDP in Bafoussam. 

Bello Bouba Speech in Bamenda last Saturday

Compatriots of Bamenda, dear people of the North West Region. 

Today, I stand before you in Bamenda-a city of courage, a city of history, a city that symbolises Cameroon’s democracy. 

Bamenda is not just any city. It is here that the KNDP was born in 1955, spear-heading reunification. It is here that in 1991, sons and daughters of the North West rose up to restore multiparty democracy. You are the beating heart of our democracy. 

The North West Region has given our nation heroes: Dr. John Ngu Foncha, Hon. Augustine Jua, John Fru Ndi, Cardinal Tumi. Their courage reflects yours. Your resilience can change history! 

A new chapter for NW Region 

For too long, your voices have not been heard. Your children, your farmers, your traders have suffered. But today, a new chapter is opening: a chapter of peace, dignity, and prosperity. 

Peace: It is not only the absence of war, it is security, trust, and freedom. Children going back to school, farmers free to cultivate, traders moving without fear. 

I commit to: Consulting all stakeholders of the North West on the future of the Region; opening dialogue with separatist leaders for lasting peace and reintegration of those who wish to return; granting the North West Region a special status that respects your educational, legal, and administrative specificities; Dignity : recognising your history, your culture, your value to this nation. You are not forgotten. You are the heart of Cameroon; Prosperity: bringing jobs, education, and opportunities to young people and families. 

Together, we will: rehabilitate and modernise the Ring Road; establish an agro-industrial park to process your agricultural products and create jobs; invest in education and train youth in technology and entrepreneurship; expand quality healthcare to the most remote areas; develop energy, including a micro-hydropower plant on the Menchum River. 

NW Region destined for greatness 

Compatriots, the North West Region is not condemned to conflict. It is destined for greatness. Your towns, your people, your culture deserve to shine! 

In 37 days, on October 12, your voices will decide the future of Cameroon. Together, let us vote and write a new page of our history.  The time has come; The future is in our hands; 

Let us believe again; Let us rise again; Let us act together to build the Cameroon we all deserve. 

Thank you. May hope, justice, and progress guide us all.  

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3558 of Monday September 08, 2025