Pascal Affi N’Guessan, leader of the opposition Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), formally submitted his candidacy for the presidential election scheduled for October 25, 2025.
Speaking to the press after filing his application with the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), Affi framed his bid as a critical moment for the country.
“This is an important election for Côte d’Ivoire because we have significant challenges to face and we must ensure that the reign of Mr. Alassane Ouattara ends after 15 years of governance marked by insecurity, corruption, human rights violations, mass imprisonment and widespread poverty,” Affi said.
Affi positioned his candidacy as a direct challenge to President Ouattara’s potential fourth term. “No 4th term for Alassane Ouattara, it is a categorical imperative. It is in the name of this imperative that we are candidates, and with all Ivorians, we will succeed in putting an end to this regime, so that Ivorians are free and the country liberated,” he added.
Emphasizing the stakes of the upcoming vote, Affi warned, “We must ensure that Mr. Ouattara does not have a fourth term. That would be a catastrophe for our country; that is what is at stake in the presidential election on October 25, 2025, and that is why I am a candidate because I am ready to take on this challenge.”
Affi also underscored the constitutional aspect of his opposition to Ouattara’s extended rule.
“I am ready to ensure that Mr. Ouattara does not have a fourth term, because it is an unconstitutional mandate. He should not have had a third, we already said that in 2020. He wants to persist by running for a fourth time; we will work with all Ivorians to ensure that this is not possible,” he insisted.
The former Prime Minister described the submission of his candidacy as a “historic moment” and expressed gratitude to Ivorians who provided sponsorships, a crucial part of the application process.
“Many Ivorians have renewed their confidence in me after those of 2015 and 2020 so that I am present at this stage of the electoral process in Côte d’Ivoire,” he said, acknowledging the efforts of FPI officials and activists who collected endorsements from towns and rural communities.
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