https://arab.news/ztfnk
- Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, the last premier under ousted ex-president Ali Bongo Ondimba, is considered the strongest potential opponent to Oligui, who led the military coup that ended 55 years of Bongo family rule
LIBREVILLE: Gabon’s military leader Brice Oligui Nguema will face three challengers, including a former prime minister, in the country’s April 12 presidential election, according to the candidate list.
Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, the last premier under ousted ex-president Ali Bongo Ondimba, is considered the strongest potential opponent to Oligui, who led the military coup that ended 55 years of Bongo family rule.
Lawyer and tax inspector Joseph Lapensee Essingone and doctor Stephane Germain Iloko Boussengui round out the final candidates list.
Interior Minister Hermann Immongault said 23 Gabonese had presented their candidacy, with only four “deemed admissible.”
Immongault did not detail the reasons for the 19 rejections, which include leading trade unionist and senator Jean-Remy Yama.
Oligui, who announced on March 3 that he would run for president, had pledged to hand the reins of power in the nation back to civilians.
But a new electoral code rubber-stamped by the transitional parliament in late January allowed army officers to stand for election, paving the way for his presidential tilt.
When filing his candidacy on Saturday, Oligui said that he had his request to abandon his general’s uniform for the election period — as required by procedure — granted by the Ministry of Defense.