Benin's Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni has secured a landslide victory in the West African nation's presidential election, provisional results from the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENA) showed on Monday, April 14, 2026. The commission reported that Wadagni garnered over 94% of the votes cast in the April 12 election.
The election was marked by a significant absence of major opposition candidates. Key figures, including former President Thomas Boni Yayi, were reportedly barred from running, and the main opposition parties chose to boycott the poll. This context contributed to the historically high margin of victory.
Wadagni, a close ally of outgoing President Patrice Talon, was the clear frontrunner. The provisional results must now be validated by the Constitutional Court. If confirmed, Wadagni will succeed President Talon, who was constitutionally barred from seeking a third term.
The election took place amid concerns from international observers and civil society groups about the shrinking democratic space in Benin, which was once hailed as a model of stability in the region. The voter turnout figure has not been immediately released by the electoral commission.
