As Beninoise prepare for the 2016 general elections, one of the presidential hopefuls, Dr. Bertin Koovi of Alliance Iroko party has expressed his determination to take over from Boni Yayi next April. Out of 54 candidates, 200 registered political parties and a population of 10 million, Koovi who has acquired reasonable experience over the years as a political jobber man, explains in this interview, his winning strategy in the coming election in this din of high-level politicking, horse-trading and great expectations.

Excerpts…

Background

I am Dr. Koovi Bertin. Hopefully, I’m the in-coming president of Republic of Benin who would be sworn in on April 6, 2016. I was born on November 8,1970.  I speak nine local languages, namely, Bariba, Yoruba, Nago, Egun, Fongbe, Dendi, Gingbe, English, and French. I was initiated into Christianity and Islam and also Voodoo. I hold a PhD in Psychology of Communications, before then I also graduated in business studies. By living with my people every day, I have come to the conclusion that the only way to understand somebody is to understand the rules of their belief.

Political experience

Since 1996, I have been learning more about human management while helping other foreign presidents to understand how to rule human beings. As a matter of fact, I was the adviser of the Late President Knasingbe Eyadema of Togo, Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo, and former Prime Minister Hama Amadou of Niger.  I am the current advisor and image-maker of the President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
I have come to realise from my studies, research and interactions with people in West Africa that there can be no real and tangible development in the region if Nigeria does not take control of surrounding countries’ economic field by using the policy of economic integration to promote sustainable development within the sub-region. How can we justify in this century the fact that Beninoise and Nigerians consume millions of metric tones of parboiled and bleached rice imported from China and Japan, poultry from Brazil, and vegetable oil from Malaysia?
West Africa can begin to hope for development from the day we can provide for our own needs, at least in terms of food sufficiency. 

Policy on Agric and Economy

One of the policies I intend to implement is to limit food importation and promote food production. We will focus on the production of rice, cassava, yam, maize etc. Thus, Benin Republic will not only an important partner for Nigeria in terms of food supply but also the 37th State of Nigeria when it comes to economy. That is the summary of my economic vision for Benin and Nigeria’s development through sustainable partnership. As long as Benin and Nigeria fail to set common and inclusive economic policies, to grow the economy, there can be no tangible development in both countries. That was actually the outcome of the Benin and Nigeria economic integration forum, which was held in February 2007 in Cotonou. Therefore, building a strong economy is possible if our countries can be their own food suppliers. Food import only helps Africa to remain dependent and undeveloped, whereas, reviving and modernising the agricultural sector will add impetus to the regional drive for self-reliance. As I mentioned above, my economic policy will be to promote agriculture on a large scale and I strongly believe this is the only way we can substantially limit food import. We can import technologies from anywhere in the world but we have no reasons importing meat, rice, vegetable oil etc. Benin and Nigeria must work together in a tight and objective partnership and fight for the economic independence of West Africa and that of the whole continent. Nigeria must help Benin as petroleum products are concerned and Benin must secure the Nigeria economy by banning importation of whatever Nigeria has banned.

Vision for Nigeria-Benin relationship

Nigeria and Benin must build an inclusive and integrated economic policy. The development of Nigeria depends on that of Benin Republic. So, as long as Benin policies do not match the policies of Nigeria both countries will not develop. As a candidate in the February presidential election, I will build an integrated economic policy between my country and Nigeria. The statesman, Tevoedjre Albert, the Catholic Church of Benin, the Born-Again Church Association, The Muslim Council of Benin, youth associations, market women, farmers, traditional leaders, and many other associations and political parties understand and share in my vision.

Dr. Bertin Koovi of Alliance Iroko party

Contesting as Independent candidate

Since 1991 nobody has won elections through a party and the problem is that for a population of 10 million people, we have 200 parties, which I rather call electoral clubs. In Benin, the electoral law allows an independent candidate to contest.  For instance, Matthew Kerekou, Soglo, and Boni Yayi were elected as independent candidates.  My destiny is to be an independently elected president although I have very supportive and committed parties gathered around me. I am the man of all the 6 regions of Benin as I speak the language of each of them. And that is what the people need a president who can listen to them, discuss with them, and find solutions together with them. That is also my definition of democracy. I am running on the platform of Iroko Alliance.
Campaigns,
I have the grassroots reach and spread within Benin. Already my campaign team has distributed 120,000 DVDs of my manifesto with my vision equally aired on TV programs in the last few months. I also have a CD of my political vision sang in French, Nago, and Foungbe.

Other political Aspirants

There are 54 others who are all aspiring to be president. This time we have three billionaires in the race, they don’t have any idea of what it takes to be president and because Boni Yayi is not running. Of course, none has a clear idea about their vision for Benin, but when the chips are down, the electorate will separate the boys from the men, and then those who know what they want to do will get the mandate. What some of them do is to dole out money and material stuff, but that can’t buy votes. If only money could win then they will defeat me.

Your vision for Benin

People want me because I have given them a clear vision of the future. They like me for my will to build a solid, integrated economic policy with our neighbours especially Nigeria. I know Nigeria from the south to the east and from the north to the west. This election is a serious matter that is why I need a very good link. I was the director of campaign of the president of the biggest political party Adrien Houngbedji in 2006. But he lost the election because for presidential election Benin people voted for the candidate not for a team or party. I am in a good relation with him, and as Nigeria is behind me, all of them will join my train and drive the country to the Promised Land.