Daniel Edah: 4 reasons that make him the opposition’s candidate in 2026

Daniel Edah, a Beninese opposition political figure, has officially declared his candidacy for the April 2026 presidential election. The upcoming presidential vote in Benin will indeed see Patrice Talon give up his seat, and the ruling movement has already named his heir in Romuald Wadagni, the current Minister of State in charge of the Economy and Finance. Faced with this situation, the opposition is seeking to unite around a single candidate able to represent its colors. Among the potential figures is Daniel Edah, a former ECOWAS commissioner and unsuccessful candidate in 2016, who was the first to officially announce his candidacy as early as May 2025. Here are four reasons why Daniel Edah has every chance of being the opposition’s candidate in 2026.

1. A neutral, unifying profile above political polarization

Daniel Edah positions himself as an alternative outside the Talon/Yayi divide, rejecting invective politics and advocating national unity. He praises the legacy of all previous presidents (from Soglo to Talon) and bets on calming tensions and republican continuity. This moderate stance – rare in a highly polarized Beninese political landscape – makes him a potential consensus candidate. By calling for reconciliation rather than confrontation, Edah appears capable of bringing together people beyond traditional partisan factions, appealing both to those disappointed with the Talon regime and to moderate opponents tired of internal quarrels.

By comparison, other opposition figures are more marked by their partisan affiliation. Éric Houndété and Nourénou Atchadé are pillars of the party Les Démocrates (the main opposition party founded by former president Boni Yayi) and embody the hard line of that camp. Nourou-Dine Saka Saley, a founding member of Les Démocrates, has made a name for himself with his blunt criticism of his own formation. Their pronounced partisan anchoring can be a handicap when it comes to rallying beyond their base, since they are seen as part of the “Yayi camp” and could struggle to broaden their appeal to unaligned voters. In contrast, Daniel Edah is neither from Boni Yayi’s circle nor associated with Talon’s power, giving him an image of neutrality conducive to bringing together various components of the opposition around his candidacy.

2. An opposition figure admissible in a tightly controlled political system

The current institutional configuration in Benin favors a moderate opposition candidate like Daniel Edah. Since the 2019 electoral reform, any presidential candidacy must obtain the endorsement of at least 15% of deputies and mayors, distributed across at least three-fifths of constituencies. Yet Parliament and the mayoralties are dominated by the two major pro-Talon parties (UPR and BR), which hold 81 of 109 seats in the National Assembly, while the only organized parliamentary opposition is the party Les Démocrates of Boni Yayi. In this context, outside of the ruling camp and that party there remains a constellation of micro-parties “tolerated or marginalized” by the regime – a space to which Daniel Edah belongs.

3. Early momentum and a structured campaign

In May 2025, Daniel Edah surprised the political class by declaring his candidacy, becoming the first opposition figure to officially enter the race for 2026. This early lead allowed him to develop a coherent program and discourse in advance, centered on “a peaceful, industrialized, sovereign and reconciled Benin”. His societal project is clearly stated and his voice has already been heard in public debate through calm, rational positions, contrasting with the passionate tone that often dominates Beninese politics. By moving early, Edah occupies the media space and appears as a serious, well-prepared candidate, which can attract support before other opponents even step forward.

4. A fragmented opposition seeking a compromise

The main obstacle to the emergence of a single opposition candidate is the internal fragmentation of that opposition, notably within the party Les Démocrates. Currently, this party is going through “its worst crisis of confidence,” undermined by internal dissension. At the heart of it is the rebellion of Nourou-Dine Saka Saley. This politician, an influential member of Les Démocrates, openly opposes his party’s line. He sharply criticizes the lack of transparency and internal democracy, to the point of warning his leaders against a “charade” and an “opaque selection” of the 2026 candidate. These public interventions have led to Saka Saley being sidelined from meetings and expose Les Démocrates to a risk of schism – “we are on the verge of a clash within Les Démocrates,” some observers note. Such division weakens the party’s ability to present a united front behind one of its leaders.