By Samuel Adeola

Cameroon’s 92-year-old President, Paul Biya, has been declared winner of the 2025 presidential election, extending his over four-decade rule.

The Constitutional Council announced on Monday that Biya secured 53.66% of the votes, defeating Issa Tchiroma, who got 35.19%. The election was held on October 12.

With this victory, Biya will continue in office for another seven years, ruling the Central African nation until 2032. He remains the world’s oldest serving head of state.

Although Tchiroma enjoyed strong backing from Cameroonian voters abroad, Biya’s dominance at home gave him the edge. Tchiroma won 62.79% of votes in Europe, 66.75% in the Americas, and 68.21% in Asia and the Middle East. He also led across Africa’s diaspora with 54.99%, but more than half of eligible overseas voters abstained.

The Constitutional Council clarified that the overall national votes determine the winner, not diaspora results.

Biya’s re-election comes amid renewed calls for political change, as critics accuse his party of suppressing opposition and manipulating elections. The government, however, insists the poll was “free and fair.”

If he completes this term, Biya will remain in power until age 99.

By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has threatened legal action against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after being denied access to purchase the nomination form for the National Chairmanship ahead of the party’s convention in Ibadan on November 15–16.

Lamido, who arrived at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja on Monday, described the situation as “weird” after finding offices locked and officials unavailable. He accused party leaders of sidelining the National Executive Committee (NEC) and violating internal democracy.

“If I don’t get the form, I’ll go to court,” he warned.

Lamido rejected the reported consensus backing Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as Northern candidate, insisting his North-West zone was not consulted. He said his push is for discipline, inclusion, and fairness within the PDP ahead of 2027.

By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

The FCT High Court, Maitama, on Monday, adjourned hearing on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s preliminary objection in her defamation trial against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and ex-Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello to December 1.

Justice Chizoba Oji shifted the date after the prosecution admitted its response had not been properly served on the defence.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was arraigned on June 19 over alleged defamatory statements linking Akpabio and Bello to criminal acts, pleaded not guilty. Her lawyers are challenging the charges as an abuse of prosecutorial powers.