With just 48 hours remaining before the official end of the electoral campaign, the village of Lobogo, located in the Bopa municipality, is buzzing with activity. Here, Paul Hounkpè, the candidate for the Forces Cauris pour un Bénin Émergent (FCBE), is fighting for his political credibility. Between the enthusiasm of his supporters and the criticisms from parts of the opposition, the former mayor’s stronghold has become the focal point of this April 12 election.
The air in Lobogo is thick with dust and campaign slogans. In this village where Paul Hounkpè grew up and built his political career, every alleyway displays the colors of the “Cauris.” As the Sunday deadline approaches, the supporters of the moderate opposition candidate are stepping up their grassroots rallies ahead of the electoral silence imposed at midnight on Friday.
“the local son” under scrutiny for legitimacy
For the activists encountered on site, Paul Hounkpè is more than just a party leader—he is “the local son.” A former mayor of Bopa, he enjoys a solid base and a long-standing connection with the community. “He understands our realities; he has tackled our problems here in Lobogo,” insists a young supporter, a green scarf wrapped around his neck.
Yet this election campaign is unlike any other for the FCBE. The party is navigating deep divisions within the opposition ranks. Deprived of the backing of the Les Démocrates party—whose candidate was disqualified—Paul Hounkpè must now prove he represents a credible alternative to the incumbent candidate, Romuald Wadagni.
abstention and the shadow of absent opposition figures
In Lobogo, the debate over the “moderate opposition” is a hot topic. While FCBE militants rally their troops, a portion of the population remains hesitant about an election where key figures of the radical opposition have been sidelined.
“We will vote because Paul is one of us, but our hearts aren’t fully in it—after all, not all of Benin’s sons and daughters are in the race,” admits an elder seated beneath an iroko tree. For Hounkpè, the challenge is clear: convert his local popularity into a vote of disapproval against the current government while countering calls for boycotts or widespread indifference among voters.
a tightly contested campaign finale
Meanwhile, just a few kilometers away, Romuald Wadagni’s campaign machine, representing the ruling party, continues crisscrossing the country with impressive resources, highlighting a decade of governance achievements. Facing this formidable campaign, Paul Hounkpè is banking on ground-level outreach and direct engagement.
In Lobogo, meetings are stretching late into the night. By Friday at midnight, the loudspeakers will fall silent. For Paul Hounkpè, the outcome in Lobogo will be decisive: a strong showing in his stronghold is essential to challenge Romuald Wadagni and demonstrate that the FCBE remains the country’s most organized opposition force, despite the turbulence.
On Sunday, polling stations will open at 7 a.m. Lobogo will be closely watched by observers as a gauge of an opposition struggling to survive the ballot box.
