Two Nigerians, Two Other Africans to Contest Council Elections in New York

Two Nigerians and two other African-born immigrants, including a female are vying to represent the Bronx on the City Council, as the borough's growing West African community tries to gain political grip.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two Nigerian candidates are Mr Abiodun Bello, a Nigerian immigrant and tax auditor for the city Finance Department and Bola Omotosho, Chairman of Community Board 5 and a doctor.

Other candidates are Ahmadou Diallo, an accountant and the founder of the Futa Islamic Centre from Guinea and Naaimat Muhammed, an aide in Foster's office whose parents are from Ghana and Togo.
 
The Bronx is said to be the home to about half of the cities of West African immigrants.
In District 16, which includes Morrisania, Highbridge and Melrose, there are an estimated 7,500 West Africans residents.

District 16, otherwise referred to as "black seat" is currently held by Council woman Helen Foster, who has been prevented by term limits from running again. The election is scheduled between September and November.
 
"The Africans from the continent have been taken for granted for far too long. This will give us a chance to be at the table," Bello said at a forum organised by the new United African Coalition.
Jennifer Gray-Brumskine, a community activist for Liberians on Staten Island and a member of the coalition, said that the competition symbolised a political coming-of-age for the immigrant community.

She added "It shows that we're moving up".

Also Andrew Beveridge said "to win, you really have to cross groups. You have to form a coalition with people who are part of the power structure. There aren't enough Africans up there."
He noted that the candidates would have a formidable opponent in Assembly woman Vanessa Gibson, an African-American woman, who announced her candidacy for Foster's seat.
NAN