COTONOU (Reuters) – Benin’s prime minister Lionel Zinsou, favoured by the president to succeed him in next month’s election, received a boost yesterday when the leading opposition party also named him as their preferred candidate.
In a ceremony yesterday declaring their support, leaders of the PRD party described Lionel Zinsou as the “consensus candidate” that would bring prosperity to the tiny West African country whose economy has been hit by a slowdown in neighbouring Nigeria.
“With him, Benin can begin to develop,” said Adrien Houngbédji, president of the PRD party.
Zinsou said in December that he was running as the main candidate for the ruling FCBE party, dispelling fears that President Boni Yayi would defy constitutional term limits and seek a third term. He remains that party’s candidate.
Yayi has led the cotton-producing country since 2006. He is barred under the country’s constitution from standing for a third term and the election, scheduled for February 28, is considered wide open.
“This is great support,” said Zinsou, who has said he will focus his presidency on supporting the poorest and most vulnerable, bringing more workers into the formal economy and establish banking systems for agriculture.