Issa Tchiroma Bakary

Former minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary stood against outgoing 92-year-old President Paul Biya in the presidential election on 12 October 2025. On 27 October, the Constitutional Council proclaimed Paul Biya the winner with 53.66 percent of the vote against 35.19 percent for Issa Tchiroma Bakary. Turnout was 57.76 percent. Issa Tchiroma Bakary had declared himself the winner on 12 October, with about 55 percent of the vote by his own count. He called the vote a "masquerade". Protests against the official results broke out in several towns after they were announced. According to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, at least 48 people died during the crackdown on these protests.