Loved for his struggles against the system, Joseph Djogbenou, is equally criticized for his unwavering support for President Talon. What can he do today at the head of the Progressive Union where he landed after his resignation from the Constitutional Court and especially in the face of his ex-allies Reckya Madougou, Joël Aïvo or Eric Houndété who are today the undisputed leaders of the opposition ?
His resignation surprised the general public but for analysts of the Beninese political scene, it was neither more nor less than a scenario written in advance. Following his departure, mardi 12 July 2022, of the prestigious presidency of the Constitutional Court, Joseph announced that he had decided to return to the arena, in other words to become an activist in a political formation.. And its natural destination could only be the Progressive Union, the political party created under the impetus of the Head of State and in which its own party dissolved. It was time because the president of the UP, Amoussou Bruno had decided to retire. As soon as you get down, he replaced the latter as the first person in charge of this training.
Whether it was planned since or not, Joseph Djogbenou, a presidential executive, finds itself face to face with its former allies in civil society who, today, embody an irreducible opposition to President Patrice Talon. These include Eric Houndété who presides over the destinies of the Les Démocrates party., but also Joël Aïvo and Reckya Madougou, who really did not openly campaign in the opposition during the time of President Yayi Boni, but who find themselves today at the heart of the device aimed at wresting power from the dolphin of President Patrice Talon, whoever he is. And some clues suggest that the latter could be embodied by Joseph Djogbénou. It is therefore obvious that now, between these old friends, the battle is likely to be total.
Who will win the game will be or will make the next President of the Republic. More, what strength do each have ?
President Talon's personal lawyer, seasoned intellectual and fine tactician, Joseph Djogbénou succeeded in covering, in six years, several institutions of the Republic, what makes him a man who knows the system. To achieve this, he undoubtedly knew how to swim in troubled waters and overcome internal adversaries, those who, while being in power, could have tried to shade him with the boss. Teacher, he also has an important network in universities and among the many executives he has helped to train. And as a lawyer, he has served an invaluable number of litigants who do not have enough means to pay for the services of a good lawyer. In a whole other side, he is the one who best knows the files of the current president – for whom he is the personal lawyer- and who is therefore able to protect his back.
All these assets are not negligible when it comes to building an electoral base, which he had to a certain extent. As a reminder, he did not wait for the arrival of President Talon to be elected deputy.
More, Professor Djogbénou has a weak point : is to be faithful and unconditional defender of his boss. Since his first term as head of the country, all sorts of criticism has been directed at the lawyer and defender of democratic values that Beninese adored. He is accused of all sins, real and imaginary, of the power of Patrice Talon. Could it in this context, win substantial votes in the next legislative elections (January 2023) and, possibly ensuring the succession of President Talon at the end of his second term ?
The question remains, all the more so since he has in front of him opposition leaders who know him very well and who can therefore develop strategies to further reduce what remains of his past aura.. Just as strategist, he has many assets that make him a man of consensus, what it takes to keep the flame of the opposition burning. Indeed, if he was a political enemy of former President Yayi Boni during his two terms, Eric Houndété has achieved the feat of being accepted by the latter to lead the party Les Démocrates, of which he is the true founder. A party that scares the ranks of power given the mobilization capacity of its mentor. If Yayi Boni has stopped appearing in public, it is simply so as not to appear to be in an electoral campaign because each of its outings arouses a popular fervor almost never seen since the independence of Benin. Moreover, Democrat side, we are convinced that an inclusive and transparent election will work in their favor, which is not very reassuring for the power.
Pierre MATCHOUDO