Oye Owolewa: Nigerian Elected To Represent Washington DC

A Nigerian man, Dr. Oye Owolewa, has been elected to the House of Representatives to represent the United States Capital, Washington DC.

Oye Owolewa, a Democrat politician, was first elected into the US House of Representatives in 2020.

According to Wikipedia, while the position is unpaid, it was authorized by District of Columbia voters in 1982 but never approved by Congress.

His first election was in November 2020. Owolewa is tasked with lobbying for D.C. statehood. His position is also described as shadow congressperson.

He was born in Boston to a father from Omu Aran, in Kwara State, and a mother from Ilesa, in Osun State.

Owolewa family is in Igangu, Omu Aran, headquarters of Irepodun local government area of Kwara State

He was raised in Newton, Massachusetts and nearby Boston, where he attended Boston Latin School and graduated in 2008.

In 2014, he earned a doctorate in pharmacy from Northeastern University and moved to Washington to practice pharmacy.

In an acceptance message on his X handle after his victory, Owolewa wrote, “Almost 6 years to the date, I ran in my first election.

“On Nov 6, 2018, I ran for ANC Commissioner where I won by a single vote. Since then, I’ve learned to take nothing for granted and earn it every single day.

“6 years, we’re still here. Working. Onwards to DC Statehood.”