Gabon’s Junta Leader Brice Oligui Nguema to Contest Presidential Election Against Three Candidates
Brice Oligui Nguema will run against three candidates in Gabon’s presidential election on April 12, 2025. His main challenger is Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, the former prime minister. Of 23 applicants, only four candidates were accepted, and Oligui aims to restore civilian rule after a transitional period. Campaigning begins March 29, 2025.
Gabon’s military leader, Brice Oligui Nguema, is set to participate in the presidential election on April 12, 2025, facing three challengers. This information comes from the final list of candidates released on Sunday. Notably, Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, the last prime minister under the previous President Ali Bongo Ondimba, is regarded as Oligui’s primary opponent.
In addition to By Nze, Oligui will compete with lawyer Joseph Lapensee Essingone, and doctor Stéphane Germain Iloko Boussengui. Interior Minister Hermann Immongault stated that out of 23 candidate applications, only four were officially accepted, while 19 were rejected for undisclosed reasons, including notable figures like trade unionist Jean-Remy Yama, who can appeal to the Constitutional Court.
Oligui, who initially announced his candidacy on March 3, has committed to handing power back to civilians following a transitional period. A recent electoral code amendment permits military personnel to contest elections, facilitating Oligui’s independent candidacy, filed the previous Saturday. Campaigning for the elections is scheduled to commence on March 29; however, no information regarding a possible second-round run-off has been disclosed.
The upcoming presidential election in Gabon features military leader Brice Oligui Nguema running against three contenders, including his strongest rival, Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze. With 23 applications reviewed, only four candidates were accepted, allowing Oligui to participate due to changes in the electoral code that permit military candidacies. The election campaign begins on March 29, 2025, with the election date set for April 12, 2025.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
