The PGP was established as a left-leaning party in March 1990, at the beginning of the wave of democratization that swept Africa in the early 1990s.
Initially, its key leaders were Pierre-Louis Agondjo Okawé, who was President, Marc Saturnin Nan Nguema, who was Vice-President, and Joseph Rendjambe, who was Secretary-General.
[1] Rendjambe died in unclear circumstances in May 1990, resulting in riots by angry opposition supporters in Port-Gentil and Libreville.
President Omar Bongo of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) received more votes than Agondjo Okawé even in the PGP stronghold on Port-Gentil, a fact that was noted skeptically by observers.
Agondjo Okawé announced in March 2005 that he would not be a candidate for the 2005 presidential elections, a decision attributed to old age and declining health.