The United States midterm elections, held on November 3, 2022, saw several Nigerian-Americans emerge as winners, securing positions in state legislatures and local government across various states. A total of 14 Nigerian-Americans were reported to have won elections, with their positions ranging from state representatives and a state senator to a county executive and a member of the Washington, DC, Council.
The list of winners includes Segun Adeyina, who won the Georgia State House, District 110 seat, and Solomon Adesanya, who secured the Georgia State House, District 43 seat. Other notable winners include Will Jawando, who became the Montgomery County Executive in Maryland, and Esther Agbaje, who won the Minnesota State House, District 59B seat.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, congratulated the Nigerian-Americans on their achievements, describing their wins as a source of pride for Nigerians at home and abroad. Dabiri-Erewa praised their talent, resilience, and leadership, wishing them success as they take on their new responsibilities.
The US midterm elections are held halfway through a president's four-year term and determine the composition of Congress, alongside several state and local political offices. The elections provide voters with an opportunity to choose representatives who will make decisions on legislation, public spending, and governance at different levels.
The Nigerian-Americans who won elections are Ukeme Awakessien-Jeter, Ohio State House, District 7; Junior Ezeonu, Texas State House, District 101; Olaleye Onikuyide, Connecticut State House, District 19; Gabe Okoye, Georgia State House, District 102; and Phil Olaleye, Georgia State House, District 59.
Other winners include Justin Onwenu, Michigan State Senate, District 1; Janelle Anyanonu, New Mexico State House, District 19; Carol Kazeem, Pennsylvania State House, District 159; Odus Evbagharu, Texas State House, District 135; and Dr. Oye Owolewa, Washington, DC Council at-large.
Dabiri-Erewa's message comes as Nigerians continue to celebrate citizens and people of Nigerian descent making contributions in different fields around the world. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has been actively involved in promoting the achievements of Nigerians in diaspora, and Dabiri-Erewa's congratulatory message is a testament to this effort.
Key points
- Nigerian-Americans won a total of 14 seats in the US midterm elections.
- The winners secured positions in state legislatures and local government across various states, including Georgia, Texas, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio, Connecticut, Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC.
- Abike Dabiri-Erewa congratulated the Nigerian-Americans on their achievements, describing their wins as a source of pride for Nigerians at home and abroad.
