Benin’s newly designated presidential candidate for April 2026, Romuald Wadagni, has received a significant endorsement from former Supreme Court President Ousmane Batoko.
Speaking at a gathering of the Natitingou Initiative for 2026, which he chairs, Batoko described Wadagni’s candidacy as “a godsend” and praised the Minister of Economy and Finance as a credible alternative to outgoing President Patrice Talon.
“It’s a candidacy we’ve been hoping for for many years,” Batoko said, highlighting the potential for Wadagni to advance fundamental rights and strengthen democratic institutions more effectively than the current administration.
“I know that with Romuald Wadagni, we will do better for freedom, we will do better for democracy,” he added.
Batoko has long been a vocal critic of the current political climate in Benin.
In October 2024, he described the national political landscape as “troubled and confused,” citing a lack of transparency and reliable information for citizens.
“No one has the right information to reassure the population and allow them to regain a minimum of serenity, in order to better plan for the future,” he said in an interview with Eden TV.
He also expressed concerns over the handling of a suspected coup attempt involving political figures, warning that the situation had plunged the country into “a zone of uncertainty and disorientation.”
Batoko has consistently called for greater transparency and public debate as a means to restore confidence in governance and national institutions.
The endorsement comes at a critical moment in Benin’s political calendar, as parties and movements prepare for the upcoming presidential election. With Wadagni emerging as the candidate of the ruling movement, Batoko’s support signals an attempt to unite pro-reform voices around a candidate positioned as both a continuation of certain economic policies and a potential driver of democratic renewal.
Observers note that the 2026 race is likely to test the balance between continuity and change, with the backing of influential figures like Batoko potentially shaping the trajectory of the campaign in the months ahead.
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