A Nigerian, Yemi Mobolade, has been elected the mayor of Colorado Springs, a municipality in Colorado in the United States.
With his victory at the polls, Mobolade becomes the first Black man elected to lead the city in political upheaval, the Colorado Sun reports.
The new mayor, a Nigerian immigrant and businessman, won the seat with no political experience.
Mobolade becomes the mayor after he defeated Wayne Williams on Tuesday night in the city’s runoff contest.
Mobolade’s victory represents a political earthquake in Colorado Springs, long known as a conservative stronghold. Wayne Williams is a Republican while Mobolade is unaffiliated, the report added.
Mobolade had received 57% of the vote to Williams’ 43% as of 7:15 p.m. Tuesday. Williams conceded at about 7:30 p.m. When the second batch of results was released shortly before 9 p.m., the percentages hadn’t shifted.
Mobolade will succeed Mayor John Suthers, a former federal prosecutor and Colorado attorney general who was term-limited, to become the city’s 42nd mayor.
“Wow,” an incredulous Mobolade said to kick off his victory speech. “Wow. Wow. I am speechless.”
“This is our win,” Mobolade added.
“We are Colorado Springs. It’s a new day in our beloved city. Do you believe that? Colorado Springs will be become an inclusive, culturally rich, economically prosperous, safe and vibrant city,” the Colorado Sun quoted him as saying.
Mobolade, a married father of three, moved to Colorado Springs in 2010 and quickly became a leader in the business community.
He cofounded two popular restaurants — The Wild Goose Meeting House and Good Neighbours Meeting House — in Colorado’s second-largest city and served as its small business development administrator.
He was also the vice president of business retention and expansion for the Colorado Springs Chamber and Economic Development Corporation.
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