Tidjane Thiam, the leader of Ivory Coast's main opposition party, the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI), has been excluded from the final list of presidential candidates for the upcoming October 2025 election.
The exclusion arises from a recent court ruling that questioned Thiam's Ivorian nationality due to his previous acquisition of French citizenship in 1987.
Although Thiam renounced his French citizenship in March 2025 to pursue his presidential ambitions, the Ivorian court referenced Article 48 of the nationality code, which states that acquiring another nationality results in the loss of Ivorian nationality.
Thiam, who was confirmed as the PDCI's candidate, has condemned the decision as an "act of democratic vandalism" and is appealing to the UN Human Rights Committee.
This development is part of a broader move affecting several key opposition figures, raising concerns about the potential consolidation of power by the ruling party ahead of the elections.
From the Boardroom to the Campaign Trail
Tidjane Thiam, once the Chief Executive Officer of Credit Suisse, led the Swiss banking giant from 2015 to 2020.
During his tenure, he implemented a successful restructuring strategy that shifted the bank's focus towards wealth management, significantly boosting profitability.
However, Thiam's time at Credit Suisse was marred by a high-profile spy scandal, leading to his resignation in 2020.
Since leaving Credit Suisse, Thiam has been involved in various business and philanthropic endeavors, including founding the investment firm Freedom Acquisition I Corp and serving on several international boards, while also making strides in his political career in Ivory Coast.
For many Nigerians closely following the political dynamics in neighboring West African countries, Thiam's exclusion resonates as a significant event that could impact regional stability and democratic processes.
