Wadagni wins presidency in landslide with over 94% of vote in Benin
Wadagni won a sweeping victory in the West African nation’s April 12 presidential election
Black News 
Benin’s Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni won a sweeping victory in the West African nation’s April 12 presidential election, securing more than 94% of the vote, according to provisional results released by the electoral commission on Monday.
Sacca Lafia, head of the country’s independent electoral commission, said on national television that the tally was based on more than 90% of ballots counted, giving Wadagni an insurmountable lead.
Voter turnout stood at 58.78%, Lafia said.
Wadagni, 49, a former Deloitte executive, was the chosen successor of outgoing President Patrice Talon and had the backing of the ruling coalition in the vote, held months after authorities said they had thwarted an attempted coup.
Opposition candidate Paul Hounkpe of the Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin party acknowledged defeat in a statement on Monday, before provisional results were announced, according to a post by state television.
Wadagni is expected to face pressure to strengthen security in Benin’s north, which has come under increasing threat from jihadist groups operating in the central Sahel region.
He has also pledged to expand access to clean water, broaden social protection programmes and guarantee emergency healthcare regardless of ability to pay.
On the campaign trail, Hounkpe said high‑profile tourism projects and strong economic growth under Talon’s administration had failed to improve living standards for most citizens.
He also criticised what he described as a shrinking political space, with the ruling coalition holding all seats in the National Assembly.
