Benin opposition presidential candidate concedes defeat to Wadagni

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Presidential candidate Romuald Wadagni (C) greets supporters as they attend a campaign rally in Lokossa on April 8, 2026 ahead of Benin`s presidential election scheduled for April 12, 2026. (Photo by OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT / AFP)

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Opposition candidate Paul Hounkpe on Monday conceded defeat to favourite Romuald Wadagni in Benin’s presidential election.

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Wadagni, who oversaw a decade of growth as finance minister, had been the overwhelming favourite in Sunday’s contest after being endorsed by outgoing leader Patrice Talon, who handed on the baton after two five-year terms.

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Hounkpe offered “republican congratulations” to Wadagni, saying he noted a clear lead for his sole rival and was therefore acting with “responsibility.”

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Official results were expected not before Tuesday but Wadagni’s ability to conjure economic growth in the face of jihadist attacks had given him a clear lead even if the eight million-strong electorate showed scant enthusiasm for either choice before them, notably in the cities.

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In the capital Porto-Novo, turnout was between a mere 20 and 40 percent for some polling stations.

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Hounkpe only made the contest with help from majority lawmakers to secure the required parliamentary endorsements to stand.

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The main opposition The Democrats party did not field a candidate as its leader, Renaud Agbodjo, failed to secure sufficient endorsements.

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By midday Monday, the economic capital Cotonou had generally returned to its usual bustling rhythms with shops and businesses reopening after having closed for polling day, an AFP journalist observed.

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For the media, in the words of Le Telegramme daily, the election was “generally calm and well-organised,” while Le Matin Libre forecast “Wadagni on his way to the Marina,” the presidential palace.

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Le Patriote, however, saw “signs of an electoral heist.”

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Earlier, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) election observation mission praised “a peaceful atmosphere” and “the smooth running of the election.”

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AFP

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