Romuald Wadagni emerged victorious in Benin’s presidential election, securing an impressive 94 percent of the votes, according to provisional results released by the electoral commission.
Although final official results are still pending, Wadagni’s ability to foster economic growth amid ongoing jihadist attacks helped him dominate the polls, despite a lack of enthusiasm among the eight million-strong electorate, particularly in urban areas.
His opponent, Paul Hounkpe, conceded defeat even before all votes were counted, extending his congratulations to the 49-year-old finance minister, who was widely expected to win after receiving the endorsement of outgoing President Patrice Talon. “To Romuald Wadagni, I offer my republican congratulations. Democracy requires mutual respect and the ability to rise above partisan divides,” Hounkpe stated in his concession.
Talon, who has served two five-year terms since 2016, stepped down, while voter turnout for Sunday’s election was reported at 58.75 percent, with some polling stations in the capital Porto-Novo seeing turnout as low as 20 to 40 percent.
Hounkpe’s campaign was subdued, relying heavily on support from lawmakers for his candidacy, while the main opposition Democrats party did not field a candidate due to insufficient endorsements for their leader, Renaud Agbodjo.
Media reports varied, with Le Telegramme describing the election as “generally calm and well-organised,” while some, like Le Patriote, pointed to “signs of an electoral heist.” As anticipation builds for confirmation from the electoral commission, leading Wadagni supporter Rominus Gnonlonfoun expressed confidence in the results: “We are waiting for the CENA to confirm in the coming hours what we already knew: the undisputed victory of our candidate.”
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