Lone Black Candidate Clement Omoboy Esebamen Makes History in Irish Elections Despite Losing Seat

It is refreshing to see that a black man, Clement Omoboy Esebamen, ran for a parliamentary seat in the general elections in the Republic of Ireland. Though he lost, it speaks volumes that he had enough supporters to wage a campaign. According to the Voice Online, the Nigerian immigrant failed to win a seat in The Dail, the Irish equivalent to the House Of Commons, on February 25, but his participation shows the country has made significant advances in including immigrant voices in its national political discourse.

He was eliminated at the third count but Esebamen hailed his participation as “a very positive experience” that showed he has made a significant advance for the African immigrant voice in Irish politics.

“People representing the main stream political parties and private individuals in this constituency have come up to me and also written to me to express a real delight that I have brought something different to this campaign.

They did find my ideas challenging, and they remarked that the politicians have to look at what I have said. They have come up to me and said that I was very brave to go out there and stand. Source

Clement Omoboy Esebamen achieved far more than he expected. He has leveled the playing field in Ireland and should make a second run for the seat in the future. This isn't the type of news story that will make the mainstream media in the U.S. Nonetheless, it is a very important story in race relations in the world.