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Nigerians Contesting New York Mayoral Election Hold Public Debate
- “We are going to use some criteria to determine who we should work with”
Nigerians vying for different positions in New York mayoral election on Sunday regale residents of the state with their plans, visions and agenda at a public debate.
The debate, which was organised by Nigerian community in New York City, United States, was aimed at sizing up the candidates on wide range of critical discourse and giving them the opportunity to share their perspectives on topical and salient issues in the state.
Ekohotblog gathered that the debate was convened by the Nigerian Forum, a coalition of the Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians, and the Nigerian-Americans Public Affairs Committee, a political action committee.
The New York City mayoral election is highly competitive and strategic owing to the city’s heterogenous nature and an annual budget of about $100 billion, the largest municipal budget in the U.S.
At least 13 Democratic and two Republican candidates have qualified for the city’s 2021 mayoral election following the Democratic and Republican primaries on June 22, 2021, and a general election on November 2, 2021.
Three Nigerians are contesting in the city council’s elections, including Ranti Ogunleye, contesting Staten Island City 49; George Onuorah, contesting Queens district 21; and Chris Durosinmi, contesting Brooklyn District 37.
The Nigerian community is positioning itself as a voting bloc to pull support for a candidate whose agenda resonates with the community.
The debate was aimed at discovering each candidate’s agenda so as help make an informed decision about whose agenda align with the Nigerian community, Chairman of NAPAC New York, Gbenga Omotayo said.
Omotayo said, “We have a vision to make sure that our children get to wherever and whatever level they deserve and desire.
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“We are going to use some criteria to determine who we should work with, and whoever we go with it, by the grace of God, is going to be the next New York Mayor.”
Similarly, Nelson Aluya, President of NAPAC, canvassed support for Nigerians contesting elective positions.
“New York has a role to play, not only for us as Africans or for us as Nigerians but also for us black people. We must begin to put our differences aside and come together to achieve the result,” stated Mr Aluya.
NAN reports that Bola Omotosho, who moderated the forum, said the goal was for Nigerians to hear first-hand from the candidates as a voting bloc in New York.
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