The candidacy of former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo has officially been filed with the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) for the October 25, 2025 presidential election.
His party, the African People’s Party – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI), confirmed that executive president Sébastien Dano Djédjé, alongside Habiba Touré, submitted the required documents after verifying sponsorships with CEI officials.
Despite his removal from the electoral roll following a conviction in the BCEAO robbery case, the PPA-CI maintains Gbagbo as its flagbearer, having nominated him in May 2024 after he accepted the call to run earlier that year.
The submission was marked by large gatherings of supporters in Abidjan, demonstrating continued grassroots backing for the former president.
While some within the party had suggested presenting an alternative “precautionary candidacy” in case of rejection, the PPA-CI Central Committee reaffirmed Gbagbo as its sole candidate.
The opposition bloc has also joined forces with the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI), led by Tidjane Thiam, whose candidacy was also filed despite similar ineligibility concerns.
Together, the PPA-CI and PDCI have formed a joint front against what they describe as an unconstitutional fourth-term bid by incumbent President Alassane Ouattara.
