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Gabon: Opposition mulls over picking single candidate

Gabon

Gabonese opposition appears to have changed tactics, ahead of the presidential elections slated for 27 August. Opposition leaders are prospecting picking up a single candidate to go up against incumbent president Ali Bongo.

There’s however still difficulty in reaching consensus on a final candidate to build consensus around a personality. Guy Nzoumba Ndama, former president of the National Assembly has thrown himself as a favourite, while another key opposition figure Jean Ping has also declared his willingness to be picked.

To settle the situation, are civil group has invited the public to vote in order to select a single opposition candidate.

57-year-old Bongo won his first term in 2009 after the death of his father Omar Bongo, who ruled Gabon from 1967.

The opposition has been disputing the legitimacy of his candidacy, by questioning his birth documents, claiming he was an adopted Nigerian and not born Gabonese. Gabon’s constitution prohibits candidates born outside the country from standing vying for presidency.

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