Constitutional Council: Biya replaces deceased president without condolence message.

The two personalities were appointed to replace deceased President of the Constitutional Council, Justice Clement Atangana, and late member, Bah Oumarou Sanda.

In the second decree same day, Biya appointed Nama Remy as new President of the Constitutional Council. 

His appointment as second personality to occupy the position, was barely a day after the remains of pioneer president, Justice Clement Atangana, who died Sunday, October 4, 2026, in France, was brought back to the country. 

The swift move taken by the Head of State to replace the deceased Constitutional Council President has set tongues waggling. 

Many have even questioned why there has been no condolence message from the Head of State to the family of the deceased. Others believe that the President of the Republic will eventually sign a decree declaring an official burial for the late Statesman. 

Some had predicted a situation where the interim president of the body, Prof Paul Nchoji Nkwi, would stay on for a while. Many had based such reasoning on the fact that several public officers have been serving on interim basis for years.

To others, the swift appointments might have been because the interim of the sensitive State institution was an Anglophone. 

Rémy Nama and other members of the Constitutional Council will deliberate and rule on constitutional disputes and the constitutionality of laws.

They will also oversee legislative and presidential elections, address electoral disputes, and officially proclaim final results as well as declare a vacancy in the presidency, if such a situation arises.

Appointees express gratitude to Biya 

Speaking to journalists shortly after his appointment, Nama Remy expressed delight to have earned the trust of the Head of State within the present context. 

He described the Constitutional Council as a body of the wise who reflect on the application of the Constitution. 

“It is a great honour for me to have been appointed among the group of the wise,” he said. 

On his part, the newly appointed member, Abdoullaye Daouda, gave glory to God Almighty for making his appointment possible and also expressed gratitude to the Head of State for choosing him.

"It is absolute joy. I pray to Allah the Almighty to guide and assist me in the exercise of my duties, so that I may give full satisfaction," Abdoullaye said. 

About the new Constitutional Council president 

The super scale magistrate with over 40 years of service in the justice system, was born on October 1, 1957, in Obala, Lekie Division of the Centre Region. 

Rémy Nama has spent 32 years working inside the Presidency of the Republic notably serving as an advisor for legal affairs and chargé de mission at the General Secretariat prior to his appointment.

The graduate of the National School of Administration and Magistracy, ENAM, once served as deputy prosecutor in Bertoua and a judge in Garoua.

Abdoullaye Daouda in brief

Abdoullaye Daouda is a senior magistrate and former Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly.  Born in 1961 in Figuil, in the Mayo-Louti Division of the North Region, Abdoullaye has built a career spanning more than three decades in the judiciary and public administration. 

He holds a degree in private law from the University of Yaounde and received professional training at ENAM, specialising in magistracy.

His judicial career began in 1990 as a Deputy State Prosecutor at the courts in Bafoussam. He subsequently served as State Prosecutor and President of the Courts of First Instance and High Court in Mora before becoming State Prosecutor at the courts in Ebolowa in 2007.

Abdoullaye joined the National Assembly’s administration in April 2008 and served as Deputy Clerk from April 2008 to January 2025. During this period, he held senior administrative responsibilities, including overseeing administrative affairs and serving as Acting Ckerk at different periods.

In July 2026, he was appointed Special Adviser in the Cabinet of the President of the Senate, a position he held before his appointment to the Constitutional Council.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3944 of Monday October 19, 2026