Three out of the nine Nigerian-Americans that contested on the ballot in the November 3 general election in the United States have emerged winners.
The trios, Esther Agbaje, Adeoye Owolewa and Nnamdi Chukwuocha, won their respective bids in the election held on Tuesday.
Esther Agbaje who contested on the platform of the Democratic Party became the first Nigerian-American to be elected to the Minnesota legislature after winning the seat formerly held by long-time state Representative Raymond Dehn.
Agbaje, a 35-year-old Harvard law graduate born to Nigerian parents – an Episcopal priest and a librarian, said as a child of parents whose mission was to serve others, she has followed in their footsteps throughout her life.
“In college, I worked to advance labour rights. In graduate school, I helped build healthy and sustainable communities. In the State Department, I managed programs advocating for civil rights. And in law school, I defended tenants from eviction,” she stated
As a new legislator representing the city where George Floyd was killed by police, Agbaje is interested in prison reform, fighting racial discrepancies, housing among others. She announced her victory on Wednesday through her social handle.
“I am honoured to have earned the support and trust of my neighbours to serve as their representative for Minnesota House District 59B. From North Minneapolis to North Loop, Elliot Park to Bryn Mawr, I will work hard every day to represent this entire district with empathy, compassion and pride.
“Thank you for believing in me and a new generation of leadership for Minneapolis. I’m ready to get to work!”
Second is Adeoye Owolewa, another 31-year-old Nigerian-American Democrat, elected as a shadow member of the House of Representatives from the District of Columbia to become the first Nigerian-American to be elected into the U.S Congress.
Adeoye, a pharmacist is the grandson of Phoebe Ajayi-Obe, a late senior advocate of Nigeria who hails from Omu Aran in Kwara State and his mother from Ibadan in Oyo State.
On Wednesday morning, Mr Owolewa shared the news of his victory on his social media.
“Good morning. Looks like we did it! I want to thank everyone, from family and close friends to DC residents.
“Because of your contributions and sacrifices, I stand before you as America’s first Nigerian-American congressman.
“In this role, I’m going to fight for DC statehood and bring our values to the lawmaking process. While today is the day for some celebration, the hard work also follows.
“Again, thanks so much for everything. I wouldn’t be here without yall,” he said.
Lastly, Nnamdi Chukwuocha also of the Democratic Party won re-election to the Delaware House of Representatives to represent District 1 outright in the general election.
He first won the seat in 2018 unopposed and has now won reelection to the Delaware legislative seat. Chukwuocha is a lifelong Wilmingtonian. A former Wilmington City Councilman; where he served as President Pro Tempore and Chaired the Education, Youth and Families and was Vice Chair for the Finance and Economic Development Committees.
He is also a community-based master social worker with over 30 years of direct service and administrative experience working with and on behalf of youth, families and communities.
Chukwuocha, a veteran, who proudly served in the United States Army, is one-half of the Twin Poets that was appointed as the State of Delaware 17th Poets Laureate.
