UP-PRD Crisis: “this case makes me sad. It raises a real ethical problem,” Jacques Ayadji

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A topic he confesses he has deliberately avoided until now, out of respect for Master Adrien Houngbédji, a historic figure on the Beninese political scene.

“I didn’t want to speak about this crisis because Houngbédji is my father’s age. I have to think twice before speaking, so as to not come across as a poorly behaved child,” he confessed.

Despite this restraint, Jacques Ayadji admits that the extent of the public debate surrounding this case forces him to take a stance. He prays that his words will not be perceived as disrespect.

What concerns Jacques Ayadji above all is the moral and legal dimension that this crisis raises. “This situation makes me sad. It poses a serious ethical problem. It seems as if the PRD is publicly admitting to having avoided the law,” he stated.

To him, the claims that the PRD would have merged with the UP while continuing to exist poses a serious paradox. “You can’t say you’ve merged without having disappeared. However, the political party charter strictly forbids any alliance during the legislative elections.”

According to Jacques Ayadji, having participated in the January 2023 elections and won seats confirmed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENA) and the Constitutional Court, the Progressive Union Renewal is therefore legally a full-fledged party, not an alliance. “The UP-R is not a coalition. Once it has been validated and won seats, it exists as a single entity.”

He then questions the legitimacy of the arguments mentioned regarding the lack of dissolution congresses of the PRD and the UP: “You can’t merge two entities that don’t exist. If the PRD had held its dissolution congress, it would no longer be able to merge.”

For Jacques Ayadji, there is no doubt: the moment the UP-R went to the elections and institutions validated its participation, the Progressive Union and the PRD are considered dissolved, whether formalized or not.