afrol News, 1 September - President Laurent Gbagbo has been unanimously nominated by the ruling Front Populaire Ivorian (FPI) convention to lead the party in the November presidential polls.

All of the party's 14 structures at the weekend endorsed Mr. Gbagbo's candidature at the Felix Houpouet Boigny Foundation in the administrative capital Yamoussoukro.

Gbabgo has been in power since 26 October 2006, and is seeking a second term in office.

His main rival in the 30 November polls include the former Ivorian president Henri Konan and Alasane Dramane Outtara, leader of the Rally for Republicans. Mr. Bédié has already started his campaign in the former rebel controlled north.

In announcing his nomination confirmation, FPI president Pascal Affi N’guessan portrayed the numerous qualities of Mr. Gbagbo, stating, “We need a leader who can face challenges, sets an example and does not run in face of the first alarm and abandon his people to violence and anarchy."

He also said Côte d'Ivoire once split by a five-year civil war needs a candidate who "battles illiteracy, ignorance, poverty and disease."

By staff writer

© afrol News

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