Eight Nigerian-Americans win US legislative seats in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota

No fewer than eight politicians of Nigerian descent won their legislative seats on Tuesday night during Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota State elections, in the United States of America.

This was also confirmed by the Chairman of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa on Twitter.

“These Nigerian Americans won their elections in Georgia last night. A hearty congrats to them all #ProudlyNigerian,” she said.

“Congratulations to Segun Adeyina, Gabe Okoye, Solomon Adesanya, Tish Naghise, Phil Olaleye, Carol Kazeem, Oye Owolewa and Esther Agbaje,” she tweeted.

The US state of Georgia general election was held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, with runoffs to be held at a later date for those races which are not yet decided by majority vote.

All of Georgia’s executive officers and legislative seats, as well as one seat on the Georgia Public Service Commission, were conducted as well as one of Georgia’s seats in the United States Senate and all of Georgia’s seats in the United States House of Representatives.

Segun Adeyina, Gabe Okoye, Solomon Adesanya, Tish Naghise, and Phil Olaleye were all candidates for Georgia State Representatives under the platform of the Democratic Party.

While Carol Kazeem, also a member of the Democratic party, was a candidate for Pennsylvania State Representative and Esther Agbaje was a candidate for Minnesota State Representative.

Adeoye “Oye” Owolewa is a Nigerian-American politician, pharmacist, and member of the Democratic Party.

In November 2020, he was elected as the shadow representative of the United States House of Representatives from the District of Columbia. As a shadow congressperson, Owolewa is tasked with lobbying for D.C. statehood; the unpaid position is authorized by D.C. voters in 1982, but never approved by Congress.

Although mistakenly described in Nigerian media as the first Nigerian-American to be elected to the U.S. Congress, Owolewa is not a member of Congress.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, congratulated eight Nigerian-Americans on their victory during the midterm elections in the United States.

In a statement signed by his special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the president was quoted to have prayed for a successful tenure for the Nigerians.

“President Muhammadu Buhari extends warmest congratulations to eight Nigerian-Americans on their victory in the U.S. midterm elections.

“In Georgia State, Segun Adeyina, Gabe Okoye, Solomon Adesanya, Tish Naghise, and Phil Olaleye won their legislative seats as State Representatives in their Districts.

“Similarly, Carol Kazeem won the Pennsylvania State Representative in District 159, Esther Agbaje was re-elected as Minnesota State Representative in District 59B, while Dr. Oye Owolewa was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives (Shadow Representative) in Washington D.C.

“In prayerful wishes for a successful tenure in office, President Buhari thanks them for their invaluable support and partnerships, over the years, with groups affiliated with the ideals and objectives of Nigerians in Diaspora associations in the United States.

“Restating his unflinching support for every Nigerian excelling at home and abroad, President Buhari believes that compatriots who succeed in good causes are assets to the nation and the continent, noting that their contributions will always be remembered and celebrated.”

Source; Franktalk Now/glittersonline