Romuald Wadagni: government gives assurances over the use of State resources for his campaign

The question was raised again with the government at the weekly press briefing held on Friday 23 January 2026 in Cotonou. Pressed on this specific point, government spokesperson Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji offered clarifications that he framed on both legal and moral grounds.
According to him, the debate must first be assessed in light of the laws currently in force.

« Is there a legal requirement forcing a minister who is a presidential candidate to resign? » he asked rhetorically, before answering unambiguously. « For a minister, there is no formal obligation to resign. »

The spokesperson recalled, as a precedent, the case of 2016, when a Prime Minister remained in office while being a candidate for the presidential election.
Wilfried Houngbédji nonetheless acknowledged that the issue is not purely a legal one. It also carries a moral dimension.

On this point, he stressed a fundamental principle. « What matters is making sure that an official in a position of decision-making authority does not use State resources for campaign purposes. » On this point, he gave a public assurance.

« You will not see State resources being used for his campaign, » he stated.

To explain Romuald Wadagni’s continued presence within the executive, the government spokesperson also pointed to the demands of ongoing government business. He notably cited the Minister of State’s central role in a major international financial operation.

On Thursday 22 January 2026, Benin raised 500 million dollars on the Islamic financial markets through its first international sukuk.
According to Wilfried Houngbédji, Romuald Wadagni was fully mobilised for this operation. « He has been travelling for ten to fifteen days to coordinate this fundraising, with numerous rounds of discussions with investors, » he said, stressing that the Minister of State remains « fully engaged in his duties within the government team. »