Adama Bictogo, an executive of Côte d’Ivoire’s ruling party, was elected speaker of the National Assembly, with the support of majority and opposition deputies, one month after the death of his predecessor Amadou Soumahoro.
Mr. Bictogo, 59, largely defeated his opponent, MP Jean-Michel Amankou, with 237 votes to 6. Three blank votes and two invalid ballots were also recorded.
“The gathering and the consensus that we called for with all our wishes have become a reality through this election. Our brotherhood, our solidarity, our commitment to the general interest have transcended our political sensitivities,” said Mr. Bictogo after his election.
Mr. Bictogo, who already enjoyed the support of the Rally of Houphouëtists for Peace (RHDP), the majority in the Assembly, received on Tuesday morning the rallying of the main opposition parties, including the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI), of his rival Jean-Michel Amankou.
Bictogo, who has been a member of parliament for the commune of Agboville, north of Abidjan, since 2011, has held several senior positions in President Alassane Ouattara’s party in recent years.
He has also been vice president of the National Assembly since April 2021, acting as interim president in the absence of Amadou Soumahoro, who was absent for many months before his death on May 7. He was also Minister of African Integration in 2011-2012.
In addition to his political career, Mr. Bictogo is the CEO of the Ivorian group Snedai, which produces biometric passports.