[17][18] It had been widely expected that the post would go to a more prominent figure, but Sassou Nguesso chose Ngolo, reportedly viewing him as a skilled organizer and as relatively uncontroversial.

He was reportedly viewed as a "man of compromise": "an open conservative, anxious to preserve the identity of the party, while understanding the need for change".

The ruling was in line with a constitutional provision allowing for such extensions when voting could not be properly held due to "exceptionally serious circumstances".

[20][21] Under Ngolo's leadership, the PCT won a parliamentary majority in the 2012 election, the first time it had done so since the introduction of multiparty politics.

Speaking to Jeune Afrique after the election, he argued that the state of the party had improved greatly in the preceding year.

[22] He was officially succeeded by Gabriel Valère Eteka Yemet, who had been elected to replace him, at a handover ceremony on 11 September 2012.

On 28 February 2014, he visited constituents in Ouenzé who were still suffering from the effects of the 2012 explosions, listening to their complaints about the lack of progress in reconstruction.

"[26] Although many in the opposition saw the referendum as merely a means of allowing Sassou Nguesso to remain in power, Ngolo argued that it was necessary to change the constitution "for the future of the country, to ensure peace and stability".