Politics in Benin : The great return of Lazare Sèhouéto

While some thought he was buried, Lazarre Sèhouéto made a victorious return to the Beninese political arena. The native of Zogbodomè whose contribution to governance has been highly appreciated in the past returns this time, as deputy of the 9th legislature elected on the list of the Progressive Union, renewal.

They are eloquent and clairvoyant, Lazare Sèhouéto will undoubtedly play an important role among his parliamentary colleagues throughout this mandate which begins very soon.. Fine tactician, he became involved in politics very early on, creating in December 1988, a political movement called Movement for a Popular Alternative (MAP). He will represent this political party at the Conference of the living forces of the nation in February 1990. After studying philosophy, then with his doctorate in Sociology obtained in Germany, he signs his return to the fold, then, he was active in civil society where he helped to advocate for better management of public affairs. The quality of his actions and the high sense of ethics he demonstrated quickly attracted the attention of the then President of the Republic., General Mathieu Kérékou who first appointed him as Deputy Campaign Director and his spokesperson during the March presidential elections 2001. He was successively appointed Minister of Trade and Small and Medium Enterprises then Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. An appointment that had not gone unnoticed as the recipient was very young and in fact, one of the youngest ministers since 1972. This was the real beginning of the political adventure of the young leader.

pell-mell, he was active in political groups such as the Alliance Force Clé where he had as a comrade Eric Houndété, president of the party "The Democrats" (also recently elected on behalf of the 9th Legislature). In 2004, when he was Minister of Agriculture, he and the activists of his party protest against the various attempts to revise the Beninese Constitution aimed at keeping President Mathieu Kérékou in power. This last, the fate of his government following a reshuffle in February 2005. His party nominates him to be the candidate of Force Clé in the presidential elections of March 2006. He made an honorable score arriving 6th after Boni Yayi, Adrien Houngbedji, Bruno Amoussou, Lehady Soglo and Kolawole Idji. He called on his militants to vote for the candidate Boni Yayi with the famous sentence : “The people made a mistake but the people are sovereign, follow the people. In 2007, he was elected deputy for the second time (in the 24th electoral district, Zou department : his stronghold) with three other militants of his party namely : Eric Houndete, Desire Vodonou, Judes Lodjou.

Despite his call to vote for candidate Yayi Boni in 2006, he remained firm to all the proposals of the champion of change. Not agreeing with the management of President Boni Yayi, he did not hesitate to remain equal to himself. Convinced that the Yayi management method will drive Benin into the wall, he worked with Force Clé on the creation of the Union fait la Nation which will support the candidacy of Me Adrien Houngbédji for the presidential election of 2011. The defeat of his candidate did not prevent him from remaining in the opposition.

Very attached and faithful to its guideline, he was one of the major players in the victory of Patrice Talon in 2016. Even if his time again as Minister of Commerce was short-lived, the man remains one of the faithful of President Talon. man of conviction, lover of the debate of ideas, he is a reference for many young people who dream of his public speaking. Known for his fair play, it is already certain that Lazare Maurice Sèhouéto will fiercely confront his opposition friends with manner, without straining the cordial personal relations between them.

Born in 1963, the son of Zogbodomè has therefore not finished making people talk about him, the way being opened for him for greater political victories. “You start your life with convictions. We do it with principles”. This quote sums up the son of the 24th constituency.

Damien TOLOMISSI