Whether it was intentional or not, the furtive meeting of the first person in charge of the Cena (Autonomous National Electoral Commission), Lafia bag, with Yayi Boni in Parakou on Saturday 6 January 2023 is a clear message addressed to President Patrice Talon whose mandate is drawing to a close.
The video of a brief meeting between former president Yayi Boni and the president of the Cena made the rounds on social networks on Saturday. “What could they possibly be saying to each other?, Boni Yayi and the man who makes everything obsolete in record time ? », asked the author of the post which was widely shared. Relaying information, several media attributed the meeting to chance.
This show, which was attended by the many activists who surrounded Yayi Boni, aroused great interest because, until there, the two men belong to antagonistic political blocs. Former Minister of the Interior of the current regime then president of the body in charge of elections, Sacca Lafia owes a lot to the head of state, Patrice Talon who gave him power and a certain power throughout the last eight years.
Also minister then deputy appointed by Yayi Boni when he was still president, Sacca Lafia subsequently transformed itself by denying the latter to remain as close as possible to the Palace. Like him, there are many of these executives – ministers, deputies and others- who turned around at the twilight of the Yayi Boni regime, sometimes spectacularly. Since 2016, these political transhumants carefully avoided crossing paths with the man to whom they owed allegiance.
Is last Saturday's meeting therefore fortuitous? ? This is not so sure. Certainly, the two men were at the church for two different activities. Yayi Boni and his supporters were leaving when Sacca Lafia and a delegation of personalities entered for a mass in favor of the recently deceased President of the Economic and Social Council.
More, Like in the past, Pèrèrè’s man could have carefully dodged his former boss, as did the other members of his delegation. That, for fear of what President Talon will say. Only, this boss is gradually moving towards the end of his mandate, becoming at the same time less formidable. In the jungle, animals are not afraid of the old lion.
Last Saturday, Sacca Lafia gave the best. Many others will try to speak with the opposition, even if it will be at night. Exactly like a few months before the end of the Yayi Boni regime in 2016. In a context marked by the desire to change the constitution, it’s a clear message to those it may concern.
Pierre MATCHOUDO