Presidential Majority leader begs Biya: Don’t appoint Vice President who will aggravate Cameroon’s problems.

The group gave the word of caution last Tuesday in Yaounde. This was during an audience granted the political leaders by the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Dr Chief Joseph Dion Ngute. 

It was the National Chairman of the United Democratic Party, UDP, El Hadj Lawan Bako who led the delegation to the Star Building in his capacity as Spokesperson of the group. The delegation constituted leaders of some twenty political parties operating in the country.

The moment chosen by the leaders of the said political parties belonging to the Presidential Majority to renew their support for the Head of State was of great significance. It came days to the celebration of the National Day on May 20, 2026. 

El Hadj Lawan Bako, who led the delegation, told the Prime Minister during the audience that they had come to express their unwavering support for the Head of State, Paul Biya, and for the ideals of peace, unity, stability, and progress embodied by national renewal at the service of the population. 

"We are the Presidential Majority. The Presidential Majority was with President Paul Biya yesterday, we are with him today, and tomorrow. We will continue to support President Paul Biya because we know he is a great man who understands all the problems of Cameroonians. We know he is going to resolve them, just as he has always done," El Hadj Lawan Bako emphasised.

"We welcome the decision by the Head of State establishing the post of Vice President of the Republic. We also know that the Vice President of the Republic who will be appointed will work for all Cameroonians…we are saying that the President shouldn’t appoint somebody who will come and aggravate the situation of the country," El Hadj Lawan Bako continued.

In return, the Prime Minister and Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute reiterated to his guests that they had made the right choice by belonging to the Presidential Majority. 

The Prime Minister said the time has come to embrace the judicious choice through the mobilisation of each political party to achieve the country's development objectives. 

Dion Ngute seized the opportunity to recall the major institutional evolutions that Cameroon has recently experienced. 

He notably mentioned the constitutional amendment establishing the position of the Vice President of the Republic; a decision which has been welcomed by the members of the Presidential Majority.

With Biya forever

Meanwhile, in a letter addressed to the Head of State, members of the Presidential Majority restated their commitment to stand by him. They however, expressed regrets that their sacrifices weren’t getting commensurate attention. 

They told the Head of State that “We wish…to bring to your high attention that despite our total commitment, the Presidential Majority did not benefit from any logistical support during the October 12, 2025 electoral campaigns, contrary to the practice observed since 1992”.

“Nevertheless, the Spokesman of the Presidential Majority, El Hadj Lawan Bako, spared no effort to mobilise our militants and sympathisers in favor of your candidacy. He also, using his own personal funds, provided support to certain members of the Presidential Majority; in order to ensure the smooth running of the campaign,” the group informed the Head of State.

They continued that “… it was reported to us that during an interview with the Minister, Director of the Cabinet of the Prime Minister's Office, regarding potential financial support for the campaign, he was informed that the campaigns were decentralised and that no financial source had been made available to the Prime Minister for the campaigns. We were nevertheless advised to pursue our actions on the ground to ensure your re-election, which we did with determination”.

“In conclusion…we reaffirm our unwavering support and total loyalty to your person, as we have consistently demonstrated since 1992,” the members however declared.

They said they were currently mobilising their supporters to ensure a massive and notable participation in the National Day parade on May 20, 2026.

“We take this opportunity to renew our most ardent wishes for health, longevity, and success to you in leading our nation, and we extend the same wishes to your entire family,” they concluded.

Meeting at UDP Chairman’s ‘White House’ residence

It should be recalled that prior to the audience with the Prime Minister, Head of Government, members of the Presidential Majority, met at the Yaounde-Golf residence of their Spokesman, El Hadj Lawan Bako. Key on their agenda was the drafting of the memo that was later handed to PM Dion Ngute, for onward transmission to President Biya.

We gathered that during the in-camera meeting at El Hadj Lawan Bako’s residence, popularly known as “White House” in the Golf neighbourhood, Presidential Majority members were treated to a sumptuous reception. 

While thanking the UDP Chairman for the huge sacrifices he made from his personal pockets to enable them campaign for President Biya at the October 12, 2025 presidential election, they equally resolved to stand by their Spokesman in the interest of the group.

El Hadj Lawan Bako was equally singled out for praise by his peers, for what they said is his sustained and constant sacrifices and support to keep the group alive. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3792 of Monday May 18, 2026