On Sunday March 16, 2025, the former president of the National Assembly, Adrien Houngbédji, visited Boni Yayi’s home in Cotonou.
This courtesy visit comes a few weeks after the former head of state himself paid a similar visit to Houngbédji in Porto-Novo in early February.
Although these meetings were officially held in the spirit of friendship and national consultation, they nevertheless raised many questions about the former president of the Parti du Renouveau Démocratique (PRD)’s true political intentions.
A change in Houngbédji’s tone towards those in power
An influential member of the Union Progressiste le Renouveau (UPR), the formation created by the merger of the PRD with the Union Progressiste (UP), Adrien Houngbédji has recently adopted a more critical tone towards the Patrice Talon government.
At a ceremony to present his new year’s greetings to his militants, he didn’t hesitate to express his concerns about:
▪ The situation of political exiles,
▪ The abortive coup d’état involving Olivier Boko,
▪ The growing economic difficulties,
▪ Beninese people’s living and working conditions.
He also urged the Head of State to review his governance in certain areas, a stance that contrasts with the line usually observed by UPR executives.
A rapprochement with the opposition in sight?
The visit to Boni Yayi gave rise to discussions on security in northern Benin and the social tensions threatening national unity. At the end of the discussions, the two men agreed to step up their consultations in order to preserve peace and social cohesion.
But the question of the 2026 general elections was not sidestepped. Houngbédji’s attitude casts doubt on his current political alignment. While the UPR is officially a party of the presidential camp, its declarations and successive meetings with the opposition have given rise to speculation: is it moving closer to the Les Démocrates (LD) party, the main opposition force?
Behind this positioning, some observers see a challenge to the historic merger between the UP and the PRD. Adrien Houngbédji insists that the PRD has not disappeared and could, if interests no longer converge, resume its autonomy.
In politics, alliances are often dictated by circumstances and strategic calculations. Has the break between Houngbédji and Talon already been made? Is he heading for a change of camp ahead of the 2026 elections?
These are just some of the questions that remain open, and which will have a decisive impact on Benin’s political landscape in the months ahead.