The Prime Minister and Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, has rallied supporters in the South Region in an effort to secure a resounding victory for incumbent President Paul Biya in the presidential election.
The call to action was the centrepiece of a major CPDM rally held on October 10, in Ebolowa, which brought an intense campaign period in the region to a close.
Addressing the crowd, the Prime Minister hailed the massive turnout as a testament to the population’s unwavering support for the Head of State. He cited the previous presidential election, where the South Region delivered over 92% of its votes for Mr Biya, as proof that the region was poised to give him its full backing once again.
Highlighting the infrastructural developments undertaken since President Biya came to power, the PM stated these projects were aligned with the vision of transforming the region into an El Dorado.
In the education sector, Dr Dion Ngute said, “Thanks to the enlightened leadership of the Head of State, His Excellency Paul Biya, the South Region is proud to be home to the University of Ebolowa, the Higher Institute of Maritime Studies, the Cameroon-Congo Inter-State University, and many other institutions that have enhanced the quality of training for our youth.”
On road infrastructure, the Head of Government noted, “Considerable efforts have been made to develop the region’s road network, notably the Kribi-Lolabé Motorway, and the Grand Zambi-Kribi and Sangmelima-Djoum roads, which have greatly improved the movement of goods and services.”
The PM assured the public that this work would continue, with plans to rehabilitate the Edea-Kribi road and construct the Kribi-Ebolowa road via Akom II. He concluded by urging the population to remain loyal to the CPDM’s candidate and to ignore opposition attempts to sway their support.
Ebolowa Mayor Adds His Support
The City Mayor of Ebolowa, Daniel Edjo’o, thanked the Head of State for choosing the city to conclude the regional campaign. He vowed that every effort had been made to ensure no votes in the South Region go to the opposition.
“President Paul Biya remains our first and only choice. We do not acknowledge any opposition; together we will go to the polls on Sunday to vote for President Paul Biya,” he stated.
The mayor added that the party would not become complacent, saying, “We will work until the very last moment. We have established campaign blocks to ensure not a single vote slips away from the CPDM.”
Anglophone Community Pledges Allegiance
Speaking for the Anglophone community in Ebolowa, its President, Betang Theophile, praised the welcoming nature of the local people.
“We have lived here since leaving the North West and South West. The people have been exceptionally welcoming, giving us land to cultivate free of charge and offering other support,” he said. “We stand firmly behind President Paul Biya, who has done much for us. On Sunday, we will give him our full support.”
“No Viable Challenger”
The head of the CPDM campaign team for the South Region and Minister of Higher Education, Prof Jacques Fame Ndongo, declared that none of the other eleven candidates could compete with Mr Biya. He accused the opposition of making empty promises.
“Show me a single candidate who can match President Paul Biya, for I see none,” he said. “All I see are fantasists and magicians promising projects that are financially unsustainable. President Paul is our only choice this Sunday.”
The rally concluded with the crowd pledging its full support for President Biya.
The South Region is a CPDM stronghold and a critical battleground in presidential elections. While the ruling party’s grip has been challenged recently by the departure of allied parties, this large rally served as a show of strength for Mr Biya ahead of the October 12 poll.
