Gabon’s military leader Brice Oligui Nguema will compete against three challengers, including former Prime Minister Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, in the presidential election set for April 12, 2025. He intends to transition power to civilians while campaigning under a newly passed electoral code that allows military personnel to run for office.
In Gabon, military leader Brice Oligui Nguema is set to face three opponents in the presidential election scheduled for April 12, 2025. The final list of candidates, published on Sunday, includes Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, the last prime minister under former President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who is considered Oligui’s primary rival.
Oligui, who orchestrated the military coup that ended the Bongo family’s 55-year reign, will also compete against two other contenders: lawyer and tax inspector Joseph Lapensee Essingone and doctor Stéphane Germain Iloko Boussengui. Interior Minister Hermann Immongault revealed that a total of 23 candidates had applied, yet only four met the requirements for candidacy.
The reasons for the rejection of 19 applications, including prominent trade unionist Jean-Remy Yama’s, were not made public, though those rejected can appeal to the Constitutional Court. Oligui declared his candidacy on March 3 and has assured that he intends to restore civilian authority following a transition period.
The newly introduced electoral code, which permits military personnel to run for office, facilitated Oligui’s bid for presidency. He filed his independent candidacy on Saturday and the campaign will commence on March 29, with the schedule for a possible second-round run-off yet to be determined.
Brice Oligui Nguema’s upcoming presidential election in Gabon will see him contend against three significant challengers, including Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze. Despite a large pool of applicants, only four candidates were approved, raising questions about the rejection process. As Oligui aims to transition power back to civilians, the election dynamics will be closely observed, especially under the new electoral framework that supports military candidacies.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
