Wadagni wins Benin presidency with 94% vote

Romuald Wadagni has secured a crushing victory in Benin’s presidential election, polling more than 94 per cent of the vote in results that firmly extend the ruling coalition’s hold on power.

The head of the electoral commission, Sacca Lafia, announced the provisional outcome on national television, stating that the figures were based on over 90 per cent of ballots counted, leaving Wadagni with an unassailable lead.

Voter turnout stood at 58.78 per cent, reflecting moderate participation in an election that many observers say lacked strong opposition competition.

Opposition candidate Paul Hounkpe of the Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin party conceded defeat even before the final count, acknowledging Wadagni’s clear lead and calling for unity.

Wadagni, widely seen as the political successor to outgoing President Patrice Talon, entered the race with strong backing from the ruling bloc. Talon is stepping down after completing the constitutional limit of two five-year terms.

The election comes at a delicate moment for Benin, following a failed coup attempt in recent months that tested the country’s political stability but was eventually contained.

Despite the scale of Wadagni’s victory, the election unfolded with limited opposition presence. The main opposition party, the Democrats, did not field a candidate and also refused to endorse Hounkpe, weakening the contest.

Nearly eight million registered voters were expected to take part, although reports pointed to a slow start in several areas, including the commercial hub of Cotonou.

During the campaign, Hounkpe challenged the government’s economic narrative, arguing that strong GDP growth estimated at 7.5 per cent in 2024 and major infrastructure projects had not improved the daily lives of many citizens.

Wadagni, on his part, campaigned on expanding access to clean water, strengthening social protection systems and improving healthcare delivery across the country.

However, his administration faces immediate pressure on multiple fronts. Security concerns persist in northern Benin, where attacks linked to the al-Qaeda-affiliated group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin continue to threaten stability.

Economic inequality also remains a major concern, with more than 30 per cent of the population still living below the poverty line despite years of steady growth.

With a mandate this strong, expectations are high. Wadagni now faces the real test turning overwhelming electoral support into visible improvements in security, governance and living conditions.