By Boris Esono Nwenfor
BUEA, PAV – The results of the 2025 Regional Elections in the South West Region were officially proclaimed on Wednesday, December 3, at the Court of Appeal in Buea. The announcement was made by Justice Beatrice Nambangi, Chair of the Regional Supervisory Commission, in the presence of regional authorities led by Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai.
The ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) secured a clean sweep, standing unopposed across the region’s six divisions. The only contest took place in Fako Division for seats in the House of Chiefs, where three lists competed. At the close of the process, the list headed by Chief Etina Monono of Great Soppo emerged victorious.
Justice Nambangi described the election as peaceful and incident-free. “I think it was a very positive outcome for the elections,” Justice Nambangi said. “The reports we got from the field were all calm and very peaceful. The elections proceeded very peacefully, with no reported incidents, allowing us to confidently state that the 2025 elections in the southwest region were free and fair. There was no negative complaint, no incidents recorded.”
A push to amend the 1977 Chief Tenancy Law
Reacting to the outcome, Chief Etina Monono, Traditional ruler of Great Soppo, expressed deep gratitude to the traditional rulers who backed his list. “It was a very big fight, I can assure you,” Chief Etina Monono told journalists.
“It was a very big fight, and those people who voted for me, who decided to stay with me, I gave this glory to them because otherwise I would not be standing where I’m standing today.
He promised to represent all chiefs of Fako Division, whether they voted for him or not, and outlined key priorities for his second mandate at the Regional House of Chiefs. Among them is a push to amend the 1977 Chieftaincy Law, which he said is outdated and no longer reflects current realities.
“We have a lot of work to do on the role of the chiefs in the regional assembly,” he noted. “There are many projects we did not accomplish last session, and we are going to pursue them. We must try to amend the 1977 chief tenancy law for the good of the people.”
CPDM Officials Praise Voters, Acknowledge Challenges
Humphrey Ekema Monono, a senior CPDM official in the region, praised voters and party leadership for what he described as a successful civic exercise. “I am a happy militant, convinced and actually grateful firstly to the leaders of the party, secondly to all those voters who turned out en masse to complete their assignment,” he said.
He acknowledged the abstention rates recorded in some divisions, attributing them to health challenges, long distances, and the absence of some councillors who are abroad. He also expressed condolences over the death of a traditional ruler from Tombel who was involved in a fatal accident while travelling for the vote.
Asked whether running unopposed made the process less competitive, he dismissed the idea: “Why would it be boring? We covered the field absolutely, and that is what democracy is about. If others are not there, it is not for us to go tell them to come.”
With the CPDM enjoying a renewed and uncontested mandate, party officials say they intend to focus on development priorities for the region. “The population is looking up to the assembly for employment, developmental projects, and better healthcare,” Humphrey Ekema Monono added. “We hope the new delegates will go back to the drawing board, see where they fell short, and do a better job.”
The newly proclaimed delegates are expected to begin deliberations in the coming weeks to define their roadmap for the region’s next five-year cycle.
