By Menyam Sibelle
Issa Tchiroma Bakari, a presidential candidate in the upcoming elections scheduled for October 12, visited Bamenda today, where he was warmly welcomed by a massive crowd. The convoy carrying him traveled from the outskirts of the city to City Chemist Roundabout where he addressed an enthusiastic crowd.
With palpable joy, Tchiroma expressed his delight at being in his hometown. “When you’re at home, make it the most beautiful and the most powerful, and so, Bamenda is supposed to be the most beautiful and the most powerful,” he stated.
In his speech, Tchiroma emphasized his commitment to unifying Cameroonians, saying, “All of us are shareholders in this nation.”
He confidently urged the crowd, “I am very sure that on the 12 of October, you will vote for Issa Tchiroma Bakari,” promising to liberate all political prisoners within three to four months of taking office.
He addressed the need for national dialogue, asserting, “We have to know the root cause of the problem which has broken our country into 2 to 3 parts because once you know the root cause, it is easy to find the solution.”
He proposed a roundtable discussion to bringing together all stakeholders, including secessionists and federalists, to foster understanding.
Reflecting on his past role as Minister of Communication, Tchiroma acknowledged the pain caused by his previous denial of the Anglophone crisis. “When I was in that capacity, I said there was no Anglophone problem. I was a messenger for the government, conveying what I was instructed to say,” he explained. “Believe in me, I SUFFERED TOO.”
He assured the crowd that he now seeks to lead the nation by “the will of God and by the will of the people,” while also addressing his relationship with secessionist leader Chris Anu: “We call each other, we disagree but we listen to each other.”
Tchiroma criticized the ruling CPDM party, stating, “CPDM has just one expertise; to cheat, to steal.” He called on the people to remain vigilant at polling stations, urging them to “crush CPDM and its allies.”Highlighting the issue of youth unemployment, he lamented, “It is unacceptable and it only goes to show incompetence of those who are at the helm.”
He called for a new leadership that would empower young people to make decisions for the nation.Tchiroma emphasized the importance of unity, stating, “We have to live together irrespective of tribe, political party, or religion.” He also promised to introduce dual nationality for Cameroonians in the diaspora, encouraging them to return home, invest, and build vocational training opportunities for the youth.
He urged voters to send the current president into retirement, saying, “Tell him you love him, he gave his best but his best was not good enough.”
Looking forward, Tchiroma expressed confidence in Bamenda’s potential, stating, “In some years to come, economically, intellectually, Bamenda will be one of the leading regions in the country.” He introduced the yellow ballot for the FSNC, encouraging everyone to vote for him on October 12.
Assuring the people of a new dawn after the election, he concluded, “It will be testified as the new beginning of the nation, freedom of our nation all thanks to God.”
