Distinction: UDP Chairman Biya’s most trusted ally.

The well-attended ceremony held last Saturday at the Andre Siaka Hall of the Cameroon Employers Union, GeCAM. It assembled leading figures from all sectors of society.

Organisers of the CENPA awards, said Bochong Lawan Bako won the distinction; “In recognition of your unquestionable and decades-long unwavering loyalty towards H.E Paul Biya; and for playing a pivotal role in rallying grassroots and coalition forces for the re-election of President Paul Biya, at the October 12, 2025 Presidential Election.”

As Spokesperson of the Presidential Majority, Lawan Bako has since the 1992 Presidential election, been mobilising support for President Biya at all Presidential polls.

In May this year, the Bamenda-based politician had led a delegation of allied political parties of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM, to the Prime Minister’s Office.

During an audience with the Prime Minister, the political leaders, through Lawan Bako, reaffirmed their unalloyed support for President Paul Biya and the institutions he incarnates.

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 this year. 

Lawan Bako, who led the delegation, told the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Dr Chief Joseph Dion Ngute, that they had come to express their unwavering support for the Head of State, Paul Biya and the ideals of peace, unity, stability, and progress; embodied by the National Renewal at the service of the population. 

"We are the Presidential Majority. The Presidential Majority is with President Paul Biya yesterday, 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 this 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," El Hadj Lawan Bako continued.

In return, the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Dr Chief Joseph Dion Ngute, had 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 mobilization 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 Vice-President of the Republic. A decision which was welcomed by the members of the presidential majority.

With Biya forever

Meanwhile, in a letter addressed to the Head of State, following their visit, 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 2025 electoral campaigns, contrary to the practice observed since 1992”.

“Nevertheless, the Spokesman of the Presidential Majority, El Hadj Lawan Bako, spared no effort in mobilising our militants and sympathisers in favour of your candidacy. He also, used his personal funds, and provided support to certain members of the 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 decentralized and that no financial source had been made available to the Prime Minister for this purpose. 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.

“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.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3917 of Tuesday September 20, 2026