2026 presidential election: In Nigeria, the Beninese diaspora begins campaigning for Wadagni

This is a first that leaves a lasting impression. On Sunday, March 29, 2026, the Beninese diaspora in Nigeria hosted an unprecedented mobilization meeting in favor of Romuald Wadagni, at the initiative of the platform Benin Uni et Solidaire (BUS). Organized with the support of the NGO Diaspo-Bénin and the Federation of Beninese residing in Nigeria, the gathering brought together more than a thousand compatriots, who came to inform themselves and commit themselves a few days before the presidential election.

In an atmosphere that was at once studious and militant, participants were made aware of their strategic role in the electoral process, notably as channels of influence with their families remaining in the country. “It is you who steer the votes in your respective families in the village. Therefore send strong signals to your families in Benin, raise awareness and convince your parents to come out in large numbers on April 12 to vote in a way that counts for the candidate Romuald Wadagni”, stressed the BUS national coordinator, Christian Yenoussi.

Au cœur des échanges, une conviction : la diaspora constitue un levier décisif dans la mobilisation électorale. “Le vote est un droit civique et il est une première force pour le patriote de participer à la prise des décisions de construction de son pays”, insisted the coordinator, calling for active involvement from all.

On site, the endorsement is manifest. “BUS is a chance through which we, the Beninese living in Nigeria, have objective and authentic information on the Wadagni candidate and his project for society“, emphasized Hounnou Jules. The same tone from association leaders. The president of the Federation of Beninese Organizations in Nigeria, Adanklounon Cyrille, promised to “ensure the implementation of the defined strategies so that all Beninese living in the Federal Republic of Nigeria have the information”, while Christophe Sossou Agningban, representing Beninese in Lagos, assured the “determination” of his members to relay the word.

Beyond the immediate mobilization, participants hailed a démarche judged “unprecedented”, calling for the durability of these meetings in the form of regular exchange frameworks. A demand that testifies to the momentum launched by BUS, whose strategy is to occupy spaces the candidate cannot cover himself during the campaign.

“We have thought, analyzed and understood that the candidate cannot travel to all the towns of Benin and all Beninese diasporas in two weeks. Given that, we decided to go where the candidate cannot go to mobilize and win,” explained Christian Yenoussi. In this race against the clock, the platform intends to play its full role as a ground force, convinced that nothing is yet secured. Against any triumphalism, BUS reiterates a clear message: the election will be won by mobilization, everywhere — including within the diaspora.