Benin’s opposition party, Les Démocrates, has officially submitted Renaud Agbodjo’s candidacy for the April 2026 presidential election, marking a significant milestone in the lead-up to next year’s vote.
Agbodjo will run alongside Bonaventure Jude Lodjou as his vice-presidential candidate.
The filing took place on the evening of 14 October 2025 at the headquarters of the National Autonomous Electoral Commission (CENA) in Cotonou.
Present at the submission were party president Sacca Lafia and members of the Electoral Council, who provided the candidates with a provisional receipt confirming the successful submission of their documentation. Administrative formalities were reportedly completed smoothly.
This development follows Agbodjo’s recent appointment to the National Night Council, coming after a day of internal uncertainty and debate within the party. Delegates had withdrawn from a coordination meeting, triggering several hours of intensive deliberations to finalize the candidacy.
Shortly after the submission, Kamel Ouassagari, an unsuccessful contender for the party’s nomination and sitting member of parliament, posted on social media urging members to “sacrifice for the future of the people.” Ouassagari’s message highlighted concerns over the risk of potential invalidation tied to the sponsorship mechanism required for presidential candidates in Benin.
The official submission of Agbodjo’s candidacy positions Les Démocrates as a central player in the upcoming election, emphasizing the party’s commitment to presenting a united front despite recent internal debates. Party leaders stress that the nomination reflects both strategic planning and a broader effort to mobilize support ahead of next year’s vote.
Observers note that this move also underscores the challenges faced by opposition parties in navigating the country’s electoral process, balancing internal cohesion with the procedural requirements mandated by the CENA.
As the campaign period begins to take shape, Agbodjo and his team will focus on consolidating support across the electorate, while managing the administrative and political hurdles that remain in the lead-up to Benin’s presidential election on 12 April 2026.
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