Two Nigerian-Americans have emerged victorious in the 2020 United States general elections.
One of the contestants, Oye Owolewa emerged victorious at the federal level, clinching a ‘shadow’ (non-voting) seat in the House of Representatives.
He won out of the District of Columbia.
Owolewa secured 82.65% of the total votes cast, which amounts to 135,234 votes, defeating Joyce Robinson-Paul, who had 15,541 votes, and Sohaer Syed with 12,846 votes.
The 31-year-old’s father hails from Kwara State and his mother from Oyo State.
The other Nigerian, Esther Agbaje, Minnesota House of Representatives.
The 35-year-old secured the seat with 17,396 votes, which represents 74.7% of the total votes cast.
Agbaje defeated Alan Shilepsky, who garnered 4,126 votes, representing 17.7% of the total votes cast.
She won the seat on the platform of the Democratic Party-affiliated Democratic-Farmer-Labour Party.
Agbaje will be representing District 59B in the 134-member House.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) congratulated Owolewa on his victory.
In a statement, the Chairman of the commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa described him as the first Nigerian to be elected into the US House of Representatives.
Dabiri-Erewa said she was pleased with Owolewa’s wonderful feat, describing it as well deserved.
She acknowledged the sterling qualities of Owolewa as a role model to the youths and a good ambassador of Nigeria which endeared him to the grassroot leading to his historical election into the US Parliament.
She advised him to diligently carry out his duties as a new congressman in such a way as to positively impact on the community who entrusted him with their votes.