Opposition candidate, Patrice Talon, has emerged winner of the presidential election in neighbouring Benin Republic after garnering majority of the ballots in the second round of polls, AFP news agency is reporting.
Mr. Talon, 57, beat the candidate of the country’s ruling party and prime minister, Lionel Zinsou, in an election to select the replacement for the President of the West African country, Boni Yayi, who has spent the constitutional allowed two five-year terms in office.
In a move reminiscent of the action of Nigeria’s immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Zinsou has called Mr. Talon to congratulate him even before official release of results.
Official results are expected to be announced later today (Monday).