On June 21, 2025, in Parakou, Paulin Akponna, then Minister of Energy, Water, and Mines, caused a stir by publicly denouncing a massive embezzlement of public funds within his ministry. Referring to “tens of billions” of CFA francs that had disappeared, he blamed his predecessor, Samou Seïdou Adambi, without naming him. Since no evidence was provided, his statements were deemed untimely at the highest level of the state.
Five days later, on June 26, his dismissal was officially announced by decree, in the absence of President Patrice Talon, who was currently on a trip to Brazil. José Tonato was appointed to serve as interim minister. The government spokesperson reminded that no report had been submitted to the head of state and urged the former minister to cooperate with the justice system, in line with the “zero tolerance” policy towards corruption.
The Republican Bloc, Akponna’s party, disowned its member, denouncing personal attacks against another party official. With less than six months in office, Paulin Akponna goes down in history as the shortest-serving minister of the Talon regime.
