Dahomeyan Democratic Party
Parti Démocratique Dahoméen
LeaderSourou-Migan Apithy
Justin Ahomadégbé-Tomêtin
Founded15 December 1963
Dissolved4 December 1965
HeadquartersPorto-Novo, Dahomey
IdeologyAfrican nationalism
Politics of Benin
Constitution
Government
Parliament
Administrative divisions
Elections
Foreign relations
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The Dahomeyan Democratic Party (French: Parti Démocratique Dahoméen, PDD) was the sole legal political party in Dahomey from 1963 until 1965.

History

The PDD was established on 15 December 1963[1] by Sourou-Migan Apithy and Justin Ahomadégbé-Tomêtin following the overthrow of President Hubert Maga in a coup,[2] and replaced the Dahomeyan Unity Party as the country's sole legal party.[3] The party largely represented the interests of the Aja, Fon, Nago and Yoruba people of the south and central parts of the country.[2]

The 18 officers of the political bureau elected during the PDD Constituent Congress, included:[1]

Secretary general Gabriel Lozès
Assistant secretary general Tahirou Congacou
Political advisers Sourou-Migan Apithy, Justin Ahomadégbé, Paul Hazoumé
Delegate for social affairs Adrien Degbey

The party won all 42 seats in the 1964 elections.[4] However, when tensions and instability led Sourou-Migan Apithy and Justin Ahomadégbé to resign by the end of November 1965, Tahirou Congacou, president of the National Assembly, assumed the role of interim head of State and dissolved the party on 4 December 1965.[5]

Electoral history

National Assembly elections

Election Party leader Votes % Seats +/– Position Government
1964 Sourou-Migan Apithy 995,929 100%
42 / 42
 Increase 42 Increase 1st Sole legal party

References

  1. ^ a b "The Constituent Congress of the Dahomey Democratic Party". Daily Report, Foreign Radio Broadcasts. No. 244. Central Intelligence Agency. 18 December 1963. p. I1.
  2. ^ a b Houngnikpo, Mathurin C.; Decalo, Samuel (2013). Historical Dictionary of Benin (4th ed.). Lanham, Toronto, Plymouth: The Scarecrow Press. p. 284. ISBN 978-0810871717.
  3. ^ Houngnikpo & Decalo, p. 287
  4. ^ "Elections in Benin". African Elections Database. 30 May 2011. Retrieved 2023-01-24 – via tripod.
  5. ^ "Décret portant sur la dissolution du Parti Démocratique Dahoméen". Decree No. 1965-121-Bis of 11 December 1965 (in French). The Presidency of the Republic of Dahomey. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
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