x

Gabon President, Ali Bongo Reveal Plans To Run For Third Term

Gabon’s President Ali Bongo Ondimba said on Sunday that he would seek a third term as the oil-rich African nation’s head of state.

“I officially announce today that I am a candidate,” he told a crowd of supporters in a speech broadcast live on his Facebook page.

Bongo, 64, took over from his father, Omar Bongo Ondimba, the country’s ruler for 41 years, in 2009.

The president was narrowly re-elected in 2016, with just 5,500 more votes than rival Jean Ping who claimed the election had been fixed.

Bongo suffered a stroke in 2018 and spent months on the sidelines recovering, leaving the opposition to question his fitness to run the nation.

The Bongo family has ruled the country for 55 years already and is branded a “dynastic power” by the opposition.

But the opposition has failed to agree on a single candidate for the presidential election, leaving some 15 candidates to announce their intentions to stand.

In April, the Gabonese parliament voted to amend the constitution and reduce the president’s term from seven to five years.

Sections of the opposition criticised the changes, in particular the end of two rounds of voting, as a means of “facilitating the re-election” of Bongo.

AFP

Hot this week

Breaking: Tinubu Mulls Female INEC Chairman to Replace Mahmood

By Achadu Gabriel, KadunaAmid growing speculation over the likely...

Coalition Praises Tinubu’s Reforms, Hails Tunji-Ojo’s Role in National Transformation

By Israel Adamu, JosA coalition of civil rights organizations...

Carnival in Aba as Tinubu commissions reconstructed Port Harcourt Road

By Lucy OmakpoThe commercial city of Aba was transformed...

The Role of the United States in the Iran–Israel Geopolitical Rivalry

By Diri Glory IdaerefaaThe Middle East has long been...

Kogi Court Sentences 28-Year-Old Husseini Mustapha to Life Imprisonment for Rape

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaThe Kogi State High Court sitting...

Olawepo-Hashim Accuses APC Elements of Orchestrating Smear Campaign Ahead of 2027 Elections

By Achadu Gabriel, KadunaFormer presidential candidate Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim...

WHO Eyes 2030 As Year For Achievement of Refractive Eye Care For All

By Joyce Remi-BabayejuAs the world marks the 2025...

FERMA Flag-off ‘Operation Safeguard the Road’ in Kogi

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaThe Managing Director/Chief Executive...

Governor Ododo Bags Another National Honour in Education

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaKogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo,...

Governor Ododo Congratulates Prof. Joash Amupitan SAN on His Appointment as INEC Chairman

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaKogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman...

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img