00:00But in presidential election fevere, Ramon Wadagny headed for victory Monday.
00:05His opponent conceded defeat even as votes were still being counted.
00:10Opposition candidate Paul Humpay offered Republican congratulations to Finance Minister Wadagny,
00:16who had been widely tipped to win after being endorsed by outgoing leader Patrice Talon.
00:22Official results are not expected before Tuesday.
00:25But Wadagny's ability to conjure economic growth in the face of jihadist attacks gave him a clear lead,
00:33even if the 8 million strong electorate showed scant enthusiasm for either candidate, notably in the West African nation's cities.
00:40Patrice Talon stood down after two five-year terms since 2016,
00:45but the capital Portonovo turnout for Sunday's vote ranged from 20 to 40 percent at some polling stations,
00:51while life in economic capital Kotonou was largely back to its usual basal by Monday.
00:57Humpay ran a low-key campaign and needed the help of majority lawmakers to secure the required parliamentary endorsements,
01:04even to get on the ballot paper.
01:07KONE TO RE Vaticano1
01:09KONE TO RE
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