Benin: wadagni-talata duo officially invested for 2026 presidential election
Benin marked a historic political moment on Saturday, October 4, 2025, as the presidential movement officially invested the duo Romuald Wadagni and Mariam Chabi Talata for the 2026 presidential election.
The ceremony, held in Parakou, drew a large crowd and symbolised continuity, political stability, and unity across the nation.
Under clear skies at the Parakou sports stadium, transformed into a national agora, leaders from the four parties of the presidential coalition – Union Progressiste le Renouveau (UPR), Bloc Républicain (BR), Mouvement des Élites Engagées pour l’Émancipation du Bénin (MOELE-Bénin), and Renaissance Nationale (RN) – formally endorsed the duo, presenting them as the embodiment of continued progress, rigorous governance, and national cohesion.
“The 2026 election must be unlike any other,” said Jacques Ayadji, president of MOELE-Benin. He urged political forces to “free politics from partisan divisions” and “carry the dream of a standing, proud, and prosperous Benin.”
Claudine Prudencio, president of Renaissance Nationale, described Parakou as “the amphitheater of history, the platform where the Republic looks itself in the face and chooses its future,” praising the Wadagni-Talata duo for their “loyalty to the Republic and the continuity of reforms.”
Professor Joseph Djogbénou, president of the Progressive Union for Renewal, highlighted the historic significance: “For the first time, parties with government experience are investing in a duo to pursue the bold plan of accelerated development and national influence.”
Romuald Wadagni, 49, Minister of State for Economy and Finance, has played a key role in economic reforms, strengthening public finances and modernising budget management.
His candidacy represents a continuation of the discipline and performance advocated by President Talon. Mariam Chabi Talata, the outgoing vice-president, brings institutional stability and recognition of female leadership to the ticket. A philosopher, former teacher, and women’s rights activist, she is widely respected for her balanced approach to governance.
The Parakou event was not only a formal endorsement but a call for national unity. Speakers emphasized the need to overcome divisions and ensure that the upcoming election continues Benin’s development trajectory. The crowd repeatedly chanted the names of the presidential duo, echoing Ayadji’s slogan: “Long live the Wadagni-Talata duo, long live Benin in truth and hard work.”
By placing competence, republican loyalty, and stability at the forefront, the presidential majority is signalling a controlled, responsible succession. The Wadagni-Talata duo now stands as a symbol of continuity, bridging Benin’s past achievements with its future ambitions.
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