The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has congratulated 14 Nigerian-Americans who secured elective positions in the November 3, 2026, United States midterm elections, describing their victories as evidence of the growing participation of Nigerians abroad in political leadership and public service.
The commission’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the victories demonstrated the increasing contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora to governance and community development in their adopted country.
In a statement issued in Abuja by NiDCOM’s Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa commended the successful candidates for their commitment to public service and wished them impactful tenures.
Among the prominent winners was Will Jawando, who secured election as Montgomery County Executive in Maryland.
Others included Oye Owolewa, who won an at-large seat on the Council of the District of Columbia, and Junior Ezeonu, elected to represent District 101 in the Texas House of Representatives.
The list also included Olaleye Onikuyide, elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives for District 19, and Ukeme Awakessien-Jeter, who won Ohio’s House District 7 seat.
Odus Evbagharha secured a seat in the Texas House of Representatives for District 135, while Carol Kazeem retained her position representing District 159 in the Pennsylvania House.
Georgia recorded four Nigerian-American victories. Gabe Okoye won in House District 102, Phil Olaleye secured District 59, Solomon Adesanya won District 43, while Segun Adeyina emerged victorious in District 110.
Other successful candidates were Esther Agbaje, who secured re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives for District 59B; Justin Onwenu, elected to the Michigan State Senate for District 1; and Janelle Anyanonu, who won New Mexico House District 19.
The 14 victories span state legislatures and local government, with the elected officials set to serve in different capacities across the United States.
NiDCOM also disclosed that the outcome of the election involving KC Ohaebosim, a 10-year member of the Kansas State Legislature seeking the position of lieutenant governor, was still being awaited at the time of its announcement.
Dabiri-Erewa congratulated the winners and expressed confidence that they would make meaningful contributions to governance and the communities they represent.
The November 3 elections were part of the United States midterm electoral cycle, which takes place halfway through a president’s four-year term. The elections determine representation in Congress, state legislatures and several local government offices.
The victories have brought attention to the participation of Nigerian-Americans in the political process and their growing presence in public institutions across different parts of the country.
The commission said the elected officials’ achievements reflected the contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora and wished them success as they assume their respective responsibilities.
