October 12 poll: PAL scribe resigns, slams party over silence amid alleged fraud.

In the letter, Zock writes that since the October 12 presidential election, the party has been silent in the face of several shortcomings that betray the hope and faith of the population. He argued that the developments go contrary to his conviction and the original position of PAL to defend of the interest of the people.

“The prolonged silence of our political organisation in the face of the actual situation in the country for me is treason against the Cameroonian people. Young Cameroonians went to the polling stations in hope and faith but today are demonstrating their incomprehension and anger,” Zock stated.

Insisting that the people have in the last few days said they do not recognise themselves in results trends being paraded, Zock said he can’t remain in PAL to continue serving as Secretary General. 

The politician said the results being circulated on social media showing incumbent Head of State, Paul Biya has won the election by 53 percent will only be officialised in the coming days.

Zock informed the President of PAL, Celestin Bidzigui, that what is happenings doesn’t tie with what they saw on the field and the mobilisation of the population. He said the suffering of young people who once supported their political vision and their anger have left him with no option than to quit.

“To remain in the party and perform the functions of Secretary General is against my conviction and supports a salience I don’t understand,” the letter reads in part. 

Projecting what he said is his moral upbringing and attachment to justice, Zock said he is leaving PAL to focus on better serving Cameroon. He concluded that his resignation remains an act of “conscience, coherence and fidelity to the Cameroonian people”.

Context of resignation 

Zock’s resignation comes after a noticeable split between PAL’s leader Bidzigui and its candidate for this year’s presidential election, Ateki Seta Caxton. 

After the October 12 poll, Ateki congratulated Issa Tchiroma, candidate of the Cameroon National Salvation Front, FSNC. 

This was after he had dropped out of the race during campaigns in favour of Bello Bouba of the National Union for Democracy and Progress, UNDP. 

But his congratulatory message to Tchiroma did not go down well with Bidzigui.  The later issued a statement dissociating PAL from Ateki’s message to Tchiroma, insisting that only the Constitutional Council can proclaim results of the election. 

This story was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3603 of Thursday October 23, 2025