By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Benin Confirms Romuald Wadagni as President-Elect After Landslide Victory
Benin has officially declared Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni the winner of its presidential election, cementing his path to the nation’s highest office following a commanding performance at the polls.
The Constitutional Court on Thursday upheld the provisional results released earlier, confirming Wadagni secured an overwhelming majority in the April 12 vote.
His victory positions him as the successor to outgoing President Patrice Talon.
Wadagni, a key figure in Talon’s administration, dominated the race against former minister and teacher Paul Hounkpe, the sole opposition contender.
Major opposition party, The Democrats, was excluded from the election after failing to secure the required sponsorships.
Announcing the final verdict in Porto-Novo, Constitutional Court President Cossi Dorothe Sossa formally declared Wadagni elected president, alongside Mariam Chabi Talata as vice president. He is scheduled to be sworn into office on May 24.
Hounkpe, who garnered less than six percent of the vote, had already acknowledged defeat before the court’s final ruling.
Wadagni’s elevation signals policy continuity in Benin.
During his decade-long tenure as finance minister, the country strengthened its fiscal position, slashed its budget deficit to around three percent of gross domestic product, and recorded notable economic growth, tourism expansion, and major infrastructure development under Talon’s leadership.
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