This was through a popular call, last Saturday March 4, 2016 in Buea, inviting his candidacy for the next presidential election.

Grouped as an enlarged meeting of the people of the South West Region, the local leaders of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), members of Parliament, Government Delegates, Mayors; the elite, traditional rulers and other vital forces have added their voices to the nation-wide call on the Head of State and National President of the party in power, President Paul Biya, to re-stand as candidate for the next presidential election whether anticipated, timely or even postponed.

The regional call was read out and handed to the Governor of the South West Region, Bernard Okalia Bilai, for on-ward transmission during a public rally held at the Buea ceremonial ground amidst a crowd estimated beyond 5000. On the occasion, a public rally graced by public speeches and traditional dances preceded a 200-metre walk from the Bongo Square to the new Buea Council Office.

In his address as leader of the South West Permanent Regional Delegation of the CPDM Central Committee, Senator Peter Mafany Musonge said Cameroon was at a crossroads with its security and political agenda, both situations posing challenges on the Nation’s march towards the 2035 emergence plan. Reading the political board at hand, he questioned: “Should a people, so free and living in a Republic, assume silence as a posture in the face of an equation of choice?” The former Prime Minister said it is a “logical, legitimate and befitting response from a people gathered at the foot of Mount Fako to say their choice has a volcanic proportion and pregnant with fortune, hope and promising destiny for the entire South West Region and that choice is President Paul Biya”.

Mafany Musonge stated the convictions of the South West people to include “full knowledge of the man, Paul Biya, his character, vision, policy records, an astute crusader for national unity, peace and security; the man who used statesmanship and diplomatic skills to regain Bakassi from foreign occupation, the man using strategic and tactical defense measures in the fight against Boko Haram terrorism” To state the logic, wisdom and political correctness for the South West choice, Musonge brought in such socio-economic factors as the completed Mutengene–Kumba road, the Mamfe-Ekok road, the on-going Kumba-Mamfe road, the projected Limbe Deep Seaport, the Limbe  Omnisport Stadium, the transformation of towns like Buea, and the preservation of CDC and PAMOL. Hopes for road-axes under study such as Kumba-Tombel-Bangem-Melong and the Bakebe-Menji-Dschang also constitute arguments for the South West to stand as one man in favour of President Paul Biya’s candidacy for the up-coming presidential polls, the speaker underscored.

Speaking on behalf of women of the South West Region, Mrs. Emenkeng Aka Thecla, member of the national Bureau of WCPDM and President of Lebialem I WCPDM Section called particularly on women to make Paul Biya their choice because statistics of women empowerment since his accession to power remain self evident. She mentioned amidst thunderous applauses10 women as members of Government today compared to only two at the time Paul Biya became President of the Republic.