With our correspondent in Cotonou, Jean-Luc Aplogan

"If Céna did not retain his application, it is the fault of sponsorships and the fault of the author of political reforms." Joël Aïvo is speaking of Patrice Talon. In an assessment of his record that reads like a pamphlet, he describes his governance as highly controversial. The opponent takes stock and claims that we are heading toward a third election without the opposition.

He does not accept this and suggests: "What we are asking them today is to rid the country of sponsorship by adopting a derogatory law modifying the Electoral Code and allowing the application of sponsorship to be postponed until after the renewal of Parliament and municipal and local councils following free and pluralistic elections."

"Patrice Talon is only seeking open competition"

Alain Orounla, government spokesperson, responds to the constitutional lawyer and at the same time to democrats. He defends his chief: "They did not want to have them, so it is pointless to fuel a silly controversy. Patrice Talon is only seeking open competition, record against record. Only those who do not want to go to the elections, because they know they have no convincing project to propose, can come and cry exclusion and lockdown."

Joël Aïvo's request remains unanswered for now. This Wednesday, February 17, the Constitutional Court rules on appeals filed by other rejected candidates.