Benin – Statement in Parakou: Paulin Akponna admits a mistake and offers his apologies
The former minister, Paulin Akponna, issued a statement on Friday, June 27, 2025, to publicly apologize to his predecessor, Samou Seïdou Adambi, the Head of State, Patrice Talon, and the Beninese Nation after comments made during a political event in Parakou caused controversy.
Ministre Conseiller aux affaires économiques près la Présidence de la République du Bénin, Kègnidé Paulin AKPONNA, est le nouveau Ministre de l’Energie de l’Eau et des Mines
PH: Présidence du Bénin
In a statement made public on Friday, June 27, 2025, Kingnidé Paulin Akponna, fired from his position as minister, wanted to clarify his remarks made during a political activity of the Republican Bloc in Abomey-Calavi. He had mentioned, in front of the militants, cases of siphoning of the national budget involving tens of billions of CFA francs, implying acts of corruption.
With hindsight, the former minister admits having made a serious communication error. He states that his words were misinterpreted, notably as an accusation directed against his predecessor Samou Seïdou Adambi. “Which is neither fair nor founded,” he specifies in his statement. According to him, no evidence supports his claims.
The now former minister, Paulin Akponna, acknowledges the seriousness of his statements about an alleged siphoning of several billion CFA francs and takes responsibility for what he now calls a communication error and political mistake.
Unnecessary Controversies
Paulin Akponna thus apologized to his predecessor Adambi, the President of the Republic, the government, the Republican Bloc, and the entire Nation. He regrets that his statements could have cast doubt on the sincerity of government actions and sparked unnecessary controversies.
The former minister describes this outing as a “grave political mistake” and admits having lacked control in his communication. He points out that he has learned from this episode and thanks those who brought him back to reason.
In a show of cultural humility, he ends his statement by addressing once more his colleagues and his party. “I make the genuflection of my Nago custom to reiterate my sincere apologies,” he indicated.