The Gabonese presidency has defended the recent appointment of the president’s son as a top presidential aide stressing that it was more for his competence and experience than any other reason.
The 27 year old Noureddin Bongo Valentin, was last Thursday appointed the general coordinator of Presidential Affairs, to assist the President of the Republic in the conduct of all State affairs.
The presidency dismissed claims that the first son was been propped up politically to take over from his ailing father who spent months abroad after suffering a stroke last year.
In remarks to the media, presidential spokesman, Jessye Ella Ekogha, said the president needed people he could trust to be close to him in order to effectively execute affairs of state hence the appointment.
Ekogha in defense of the appointment of Noureddine gave two strong reasons. One, he has all the skills required a nd that he has solid professional experience – he was Director General of Olam Gabon, the largest private company in the country – and a perfect knowledge of public affairs and the functioning of the state.
He cited the example of the American president Donald Trump who has appointed his children in top government positions he believes they are competent enough to handle.