Samuel Eto’o Fils, who recently claimed he doesn’t engage in politics, was spotted in Banganté at an event organized by Minister of Housing and Urban Development Célestine Ketcha Courtes. During the event, Eto’o praised President Paul Biya as the “Champion of Champions” and promised to bring former Indomitable Lions players, including Albert Roger Milla, to next year’s event, which coincides with the election year.

Despite the fact that many of his supporters live in poverty, Eto’o’s alignment with the government, which uses football as a tool to pacify the masses, has led some to view him as a figure who distracts the population from their struggles.

Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, who has been in power for over four decades, has shocked the world by announcing his intention to run for an eighth term in 2025. Biya has served as President of Cameroon since 6 November 1982, having previously been the prime minister of Cameroon from 1975 to 1982.

Biya, currently Africa’s longest-serving and oldest President at 91, will be 93 years old by the 2025 election. If he wins and completes the new seven-year term, he will be 100 years old in 2032.

His decision to delay parliamentary and municipal elections until 2026 and to run for re-election despite his advanced age has angered the opposition in Cameroon. Political analysts suggest that opposition politicians may not be allowed to contest, giving Biya an open path to victory.

Cameroon’s parliament recently approved Biya’s request to postpone elections, citing a crowded political calendar. Biya maintains a strong relationship with France, Cameroon’s former colonial power, and spends much of his time outside the continent, often staying at Switzerland’s Hotel InterContinental. The Cameroonian media describe his frequent absences as “short stays.”

President Biya is married to Chantal Biya, known for her elaborate hairstyles, particularly the “banane” style used for formal occasions. Chantal Biya has popularized other styles, collectively known as “the Chantal Biya,” and favors high-end European designers like Chanel, Dior, and Louis Vuitton.