Alabode Johnathon

Alabode Johnathon was the first official president of the Nyangan Free State.

Early Life
Alabode was born in Tchibanga to a middle class family. His father owned and worked in his bar. He had 5 other siblings. Alabode's mother died when he was 10 due to a car accident. He studied medicine at Université des Sciences de la Santé but failed to pass the third year and because of funding issues dropped out. During university he was a member of many political clubs.

Political Career
Alabode first entered the world of politics at a Gabonese independence rally in the late 50s. Later on in the 60s he joined the Nyangan Independence League, which was at the time exclusive towards businessmen and top offcials of Nyanga, who had largely socialistic outlooks and ideas. Alabode brought with him the idea of rallying and petitions to the NIL as well allowing the group to be accessed by the numbers. He was a quick success amongst followers and became the president of the league.

Involvement in Nyanganese Independence
As the nation's president for the first time in late 80s to the 90s he gained the world's view by making public speeches and door to door petitions. When violent demonstrations occurred in the 1990s Alabode considered disbanding the NIL to end the violence but re-embarked when his colleagues put forward the idea of a referendum. It was planned for June 1991 but Alabode's housing complex was raided during the night and he was taken to Libreville for questioning.

He was released a week later but was under surveillance by the government. Alabode later spoke at a NIL rally in Tchibanga, requesting a referendum for Nyanga's independence be made following a poll in Nyanga. Bongo responded to the referendum on a positive note, making it a requirement for there to be 65% in favour of Nyanga's independence for the bill to pass. Voting began in July through to August, the results being 83% in favour. He then took up presidency for two terms (1993 - 2001) and retired after his second term.

Later Life
Alabode remained a low profile during his later years. He started a charity fund for a HIV/AIDS research and education program in 2002.