Three Nigerians win in America 2020 elections

Three Nigerian-Americans have came victory in the  Tuesday elections to secure seats in the various offices contested for in United States of America(USA), and they include:  Esther Agbaje, Oye Owolewa and Nnamdi Chukwuocha

Penpushing reports that Agbaje, 35-year-old Harvard law graduate who contested to represent District 59B in the Minnesota House of Representatives on the platform of the Democratic Party, won with 17,396 votes defeating her Republican opponents Alan Shilepsky and Green Party candidate Lisa Neal-Delgado to represent downtown and north Minneapolis in the state House.

The winner born to Nigerian parents – an Episcopal priest and a librarian – Ms Agbaje became the first Nigerian-American to be elected to the Minnesota legislature, and holds  a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Penpushing further reports that her profile reads that she had a stint in the American State Department, experience working with city government, and operates a prestigious law firm, while in August,  was one of four newcomers who defeated established Democratic legislators in the primary – two in the state House and two in the Senate

The Nigerian who took to twitter to announce her victory on Wednesday is interested in prison reform, fighting racial discrepancies, housing among others.

“I’m honored to have earned the support and trust of my neighbors to serve as their representative for #MN #HD59B. From North #MPLS to North Loop, Elliot Park to Bryn Mawr, I will work hard everyday to represent this entire district with empathy, compassion and pride.#ThankYou”, she wrote.

Penpushing further reports that, another Nigerian Democrat, Oye Owolewa, was elected as a shadow member of the House of Representatives from the District of Columbia, having scored 164,026 votes to defeat incumbent Joyce Robinson-Paul, who polled 18,600 votes, and Sohaer Syed with 15,372 votes.

The elected legislator with roots from Kwara and Oyo States, holds a PhD in Pharmacy from the Northeastern University, Boston, and in 2018, was elected commissioner of his neighbourhood in South-East DC.

Penpushing also reports that, Owolewa as an advocate for DC statehood launched TaxFreeDC as a movement to combat DC’s taxation without representation, while his website, TaxFreeDC declares that until DC statehood is achieved, DC’s tax revenue shall no longer go to the federal government.

The Nigerian born who became the first Nigerian-American to occupy the seat said, “Oye believes our money belongs here for DC priorities instead of going to a government that fails to recognise us,”

Penpushing also reports that the cheerful Owolewa celebrated his victory on his social media, stating, “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.

Penpushing reports that Nnamdi Chukwuocha also won re-election as a member of Delaware House of Representatives from District 1, and was a Democrat without an opponent, having won 100 per cent of the votes with 7,640.

The Nigerian born was elected to represent District 1 in the Delaware House of Representatives in 2018, and holds a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in social work from Delaware State University.

Penpushing further reports that, Chukwuocha has several years of experience in local politics in the country, and once served on the Wilmington City Council as President Pro Tempore and Chair of the Education, Youth and Families Committee.

The profile has it that in 2019, he was a member of the Corrections Committee, the Education Committee, the Health & Human Development Committee, the Veterans Affairs Committee as a American  Army veteran and Vice-Chair of the Transportation/Land Use and Infrastructure Committee

Penpushing reports that, the elected Chukwuocha  is part of the spoken word duo “Twin Poets” which was appointed as the State of Delaware 17th Poets Laureate.