The politician, executive of the National Union for Democracy and Progress (UNDP), left the scene due to illness.
Saidou Maïdadi passed away on May 7, 2026, at the Yaoundé General Hospital. The UNDP communication secretary departs after having engaged in political activity within at least three political parties. First a member of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), a party he joined in 1992, in a context of rising opposition, favored by the return to multiparty politics. Having supported the SDF and its president, who became the main opposition after the 1992 presidential election, Saidou Maïdadi took on responsibilities. Becoming vice-president of the SDF in 1999. However, his journey in this political party did not last long. Due to differences with the late chairman Ni John Fru Ndi, he slammed the door on the political formation, closing a chapter of his political career.
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He embarked on another venture as a conductor, creating his own political party, the Alliance of Progressive Forces (AFP). The goal was to revitalize politics in Cameroon. The man’s journey did not stop at the AFP. Always driven by a desire to see Cameroon improve and aware of the constraints related to the national political environment, he moved to the UNDP, a party chaired by former Prime Minister Bello Bouba Maïgari. Over time, he established himself in this political formation to become a member of the political bureau, national secretary for communication. In this capacity, he was one of the most visible figures, both in the media and on the ground, of a party whose president is known for discretion and appears in public only occasionally. As an executive of the said party, Saidou Maïdadi also contributed to the victories of the ruling party during successive presidential elections. This was made possible by the alliance forged between the RDPC and the UNDP.
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Son of the former governor and former minister Sadou Maïdadi, his lineage destined him to work for the Yaoundé regime like his father. But, against all odds, he chose to join the opposition. Saidou Maïdadi leaves after the October 12, 2025 presidential election, during the campaign for which he supported Bello Bouba. An election after which the UNDP, having broken the alliance with the RDPC, could not impose itself in the results. Its candidate received 2.45% of the votes and ranked 4th.
