Gabonese President denies Nigerian citizenship allegation

Gabonese President denies Nigerian citizenship allegation

Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba has written off his opponents’ chances in the country’s upcoming presidential election.

Bukola Samuel-Wemimo reports that Bongo also dismissed allegations he was not Gabonese, but Nigerian — which would make him ineligible to stand for reelection later this month.

Gabonese opposition parties have insisted that President Bongo is not the biological son of his predecessor Omar Bongo, and is therefore ineligible to contest.

Over 2500 complaints have been submitted by Gabonese opposition parties, detailing allegations about his adoption by late President Omar Bongo.

These allegations suggest that the plot against his reelection may be grander as, French essayist, Pierre Pean writes that , Ali, formerly Alain Bongo was brought from Biafra, during Nigeria’s civil war, and adopted by his father, Omar, Biafra.

Pierre claims that The late Bongo was a supporter of Biafra, who airlifted many children from there.  Whether the allegations carry weight or not, Bongo was conceived 18 months before Omar Bongo’s marriage to former Gabonese first lady, Patience Dabany, his mother, another grey area, which seems to give credence to his accusers.

Bongo dismisses his accusers as fifth columnists.

Another allegation fueling the controversy is that the birth certificate Ali Bongo presented during the presidential election in 2009, claims he was born in Brazzaville, and was named Ali Bongo at birth. On the contrary, he was known be formerly Alain.

Gabonese constitution prohibits persons born outside the country from standing for election. It is on the strength of this clause that the accusations of the opposition rest. While these cannot be easily dismissed, other equally important factors which could determine the outcome of the election are Bongo’s performance in office. Gabon’s national electoral commission has validated Bongo’s Candidacy amidst this controversy.

While some hail his efforts at eliminating ghost workers in the public service,  cutting down on the size of the presidential cabinet, and combating corruption, others say Gabon’s public institutions have headed south since he took office.