The recent resignations of Issa Tchiroma Bakary of the Cameroon National Salvation Front (FSNC) and Bello Bouba Maigari of the National Union for Democracy and Progress (UNDP) from the CPDM-led government have sparked whispers in some quarters of a so-called “Northerners’ conspiracy” against the leadership of President Paul Biya and the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM).
However, a closer look at the facts shows that this narrative is neither logical nor grounded in reality. Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who served as Minister of Vocational Training and Employment, resigned to announce his candidacy for the upcoming October presidential poll. Soon after, Bello Bouba Maigari, designated as the UNDP’s presidential candidate by his party’s Central Committee, also stepped down from the government to prepare for the elections. While both leaders hail from the Grand North, their individual political ambitions cannot reasonably be equated to a regional uprising against the CPDM.
In fact, the CPDM remains the party with the largest number of Northerners within its ranks, a testament to its inclusive and national character. Northerners have consistently occupied key positions within the party’s structures, and their continued active participation is evident across the nation’s political landscape. Any attempt to paint the actions of two individuals as a collective regional conspiracy disregards the diversity and agency of the Grand North’s political actors.
Moreover, several other political parties led by Northerners remain steadfast allies of the CPDM, with the MDR being a notable example. These parties continue to work with the ruling party in a spirit of cooperation, supporting national unity and stability as Cameroon prepares for a crucial electoral period.
As the October presidential election approaches, it is clear that the decisions by the FSNC and UNDP leaders reflect personal and party strategies rather than any orchestrated regional agenda. The CPDM’s consistent engagement with Northerners across all levels of governance remains unchanged, and the party’s inclusive approach will continue to guide its actions in safeguarding national unity and development.
The narrative of a “Northerners’ conspiracy” is, therefore, an empty shell with no factual basis. It is a diversion from the realities of a competitive democratic process in which political actors make strategic choices for their parties while the CPDM continues to consolidate its national base, with Northerners playing key roles within its ranks.
Jude Viban
