With just 48 hours remaining before the electoral campaign officially ends, the village of Lobogo in Bopa is buzzing with activity. Here, Paul Hounkpè, the Forces Cauris pour un Bénin Émergent (FCBE) candidate, stands at a critical juncture. His credibility is on the line as local enthusiasm clashes with sharp criticism from opposition figures, making his hometown a focal point in the April 12 election.

The air in Lobogo is thick with dust and campaign slogans. Every alleyway in this village, which shaped and elevated Paul Hounkpè’s political career, is adorned with the colors of the “Cauris.” As Sunday’s vote approaches, supporters of the moderate opposition candidate are ramping up grassroots gatherings, knowing that the electoral silence begins at midnight on Friday.

“the son of the soil” grappling with legitimacy challenges

Locals interviewed in Lobogo don’t just see Paul Hounkpè as a party leader—they view him as “the son of the soil.” A former mayor of Bopa, he enjoys deep-rooted support and a long-standing connection with the community. “He understands our struggles; he’s tackled our problems here in Lobogo,” declares a young supporter, draped in a green scarf.

Yet this election is unlike any before it. The FCBE enters the race amid sharp divisions within the opposition. Without the backing of the Les Démocrates party—whose candidate was disqualified—Paul Hounkpè must demonstrate that he remains a viable alternative to Romuald Wadagni, the ruling party’s candidate.

the specter of abstention and the weight of missing voices

In Lobogo, debates rage over the concept of a “moderate opposition.” While FCBE activists rally their base, a portion of the electorate watches the election with skepticism, especially as key figures from the radical opposition have withdrawn from the race.

“We’ll vote because Paul is one of us,” admits an elder beneath an iroko tree, “but our hearts aren’t fully in it. Not every child of Benin is part of this contest.” For Hounkpè, the challenge is twofold: converting his local popularity into a vote against the current administration while countering calls for boycott or voter apathy that threaten to undermine turnout.

a high-stakes final stretch

Meanwhile, a few kilometers away, Romuald Wadagni’s campaign machine rolls on, crisscrossing the country with vast resources and a relentless focus on the past decade’s achievements. In response, Paul Hounkpè is doubling down on ground-level engagement, banking on direct interaction to sway voters.

In Lobogo, campaign meetings stretch late into the night. By Friday at midnight, the loudspeakers will fall silent. For Hounkpè, the results in Lobogo will be decisive: a strong showing in his stronghold is essential not only to challenge Wadagni but also to affirm that the FCBE remains Benin’s most organized opposition force, despite internal fractures.

On Sunday, polling stations open at 7 a.m. Lobogo will be under the microscope, serving as a litmus test for an opposition struggling to survive at the ballot box.