Gabon’s constitutional court confirmed Gen. Oligui Nguema’s election victory, securing 94.85% of votes in the April election. He defeated former PM Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, who garnered just 3%. The election saw a turnout of 70.11%, significantly lower than initially reported. Oligui Nguema seeks to consolidate power post-coup, with an inauguration on May 3.
In a notable development, Gabon’s constitutional court officially confirmed on Friday the victory of General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema in the recent presidential election, marking a significant moment in the nation’s political landscape post-coup. Oligui Nguema, who assumed the role of interim president following a military coup in 2023, secured 58,074 votes, which translates to a remarkable 94.85% share of the total votes cast, as per the final results provided by the Constitutional Court.
Interestingly, this final tally represented an increase of almost 5% compared to the provisional results that were released shortly after the election date, April 12. In a competitive field of eight candidates, Oligui Nguema outperformed the former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, who trailed significantly with only 3% of the votes. The remaining six candidates did not even achieve the 1% mark in this election.
Bilie-By-Nze recently voiced concerns to The Associated Press, alleging that Oligui Nguema leveraged state resources during his campaign; however, the government has dismissed these claims. Local observers generally reported that the conduct of the election was satisfactory at nearly every polling station under observation.
The Constitutional Court pointed out that the voter turnout stood at 70.11%, a figure significantly lower than the 87.21% turnout initially reported by the Interior Ministry. The election was pivotal as it was the first since the military coup removed a long-standing political dynasty that had ruled for over 50 years, amid growing concerns over poverty levels among Gabon’s 2.3 million residents despite the country’s rich oil resources.
Having previously led the Republican Guard, Oligui Nguema ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba almost two years ago and is now poised to solidify his leadership with a seven-year term, with his inauguration scheduled for May 3.
In summary, the confirmation of Oligui Nguema’s election victory marks a turning point for Gabon, following the abrupt political changes brought about by the military coup. As he embarks on a seven-year term, the implications for the nation and its populace remain to be seen, particularly in light of ongoing economic challenges despite Gabon’s wealth. The upcoming inauguration promises to further shape Gabon’s political future as they navigate this new chapter.
Original Source: www.newsday.com
