According to the Colorado Sun, Mobolade is the first Black man elected to lead the city during a period of political upheaval.
A Nigerian man, identified as Yemi Mobolade, has been elected the mayor of Colorado Springs, a municipality in Colorado in the United States.
According to the Colorado Sun, Mobolade is the first Black man elected to lead the city during a period of political upheaval.
The new mayor, a Nigerian immigrant and businessman, was elected despite having no prior political experience.
Mobolade was elected mayor after defeating Wayne Williams in the city's runoff election on Tuesday night.
The election of Mobolade represents a political earthquake in Colorado Springs, which has long been known as a conservative stronghold. According to the report, Wayne Williams is a Republican, while Mobolade is unaffiliated.
As of 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Mobolade had 57% of the vote to Williams' 43%. Williams gave up around 7:30 p.m. The percentages had not changed when the second batch of results was released shortly before 9 p.m.
Mobolade will be the city's 42nd mayor, succeeding Mayor John Suthers, a former federal prosecutor and Colorado Attorney General who was term-limited.
“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 established himself as a business leader.
He cofounded two popular restaurants in Colorado's second-largest city, The Wild Goose Meeting House and Good Neighbours Meeting House, and served as the city's small business development administrator.
He was also the Colorado Springs Chamber and Economic Development Corporation's vice president of business retention and expansion.