Nigerian Immigrant, Kelechi Madu, Wins Assembly Seat in Canada

When leaving the shores of Nigeria over two decades ago, one would doubt that the thoughts of becoming a member of parliament in Canada were one of the goals of Kelechi ‘KayCee’ Madu. But one thing is certain: he is a man who has nursed big dreams from a tender age and did all in his power to achieve them.

Today, after 22 years in Canada, Kelechi ‘KayCee’ Madu is the Member of Parliament representing Edmonton-South, Alberta, Canada.

Kelechi ‘KayCee’ Madu of the United Conservative Party was declared the winner in Edmonton-South West in a close race against John Archer of the New Democrat Party with 62 of 64 polls reporting.

Madu, 45, is a Nigerian immigrant, graduated with a bachelor of laws from the University of Lagos. He hails from Okrika Nweke in Ahiazu Mbaise - a Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria.

The victory makes Kelechi ‘KayCee’ Madu, the first individual of Nigerian descent to be elected Member of Parliament in Alberta, Canada.

Reacting to the victory, he said in a tweet:

“I am humbled and honored to be standing before you, no longer as a candidate, but as the MLA-elect for #yegsw ... this is my home and Alberta’s capital city, and it deserves strong representation in the legislature.” #ableg #abvote

The results as reported according to 62 of the 64 polls:

Kaycee Madu UCP 7,742

John Archer NDP 6,974

Mo Elsalhy AP 2,111

Marilyn Burns AAP 178

Rigel Vincent GPA 108

He migrated to Canada in 2005 with his wife who enrolled in postgraduate studies at the University of Alberta.

Kelechi ‘KayCee’ Madu is a Nigerian lawyer with a background in civil litigation and employment law. His law firm's website states that he has worked for the provincial government under the Progressive Conservatives, helping review and develop laws and policies around the minimum wage, Alberta's temporary foreign worker program, employment standards for firefighters, and youth employment.

Header Image Credit: CBC