Noël Akossi Bendjo

And there are four other contenders – executive secretary Maurice Kakou Guikahué veteran ex-minister Moïse Koumoué the mayor of Abidjan's wealthy Cocody district Jean-Marc Yacé and the former mayor of the city's Plateau business district Noël Akossi Bendjo...

He was discreetly supported by Noël Akossi Bendjo the mayor who was forced out of office earlier this year on unconfirmed and allegedly politically motivated corruption charges and stood for the Parti démocratique de Côte d'Ivoire (PDCI) which last July distanced itself from President Ouattara's unified RHDP project (AC Vol 59 No 14 Move over grandad & Vol 59 No 17 Two suitors for the FPI)...

He is a close friend of Noël Akossi Bendjo who is standing as Mayor of Plateau Abidjan’s central business district...

• Noël Akossi Bendjo is Toungara’s second advisor and was behind the decision to scrutinise contracts...