The Nigerian community in New York City has endorsed Eric Adams as a mayoral candidate for the November general election after series of debates with the candidates and consultation among Nigerians.

In a statement by Yinka Dansalami, the Chairman, Board of Organisation for Advancement of Nigeria (OAN), and Gbenga Omotayo, President of the Nigerian-Americans Public Affairs Committee (NAPAC), said Mr Adams emerged number one in the ranking.

OAN and NAPAC said, “Based on the criteria used to judge the candidates, Hon Eric Adams, the Brooklyn Borough president emerged as the number one ranked candidate. This process, the first in the history of our community in New York, could not have been successful without the hard work and coming together of a broad base of Nigerian Leaders in New York City.

“Your collaborative and objective approach in this selection process helped us to firmly establish our place in New York City, and we could be the community that decides who gets into City Hall.’’

The poll conducted among the Nigerian community ranked Mr Adams first with 51.5 per cent, Ray McGuire was ranked second at 27.3 per cent, and Andrew Yang was third at 21.2 per cent.

Among the criteria used in the poll included “which candidate is most likely to win the election” and “which candidate is most likely to support our cause, concerns and protect our interest.”

Others were “which candidate is already or likely to solidly be in support of issues that are important to us” and “which candidate is most likely to get the support of the larger community.”

One of the sentiments expressed in favour of the popularity of Mr Adams among the Nigerian-American community was that he had been to Africa, including Nigeria, and has projects on the ground.

He was also seen as a serving candidate with favourable records and establishing the ‘African Day’ as incumbent Brooklyn Borough president.

Following the poll’s outcome, the Nigerian Forum said the formal presentation of Mr Adams to Nigerians would hold on Saturday at Kudirat Abiola Corner by Nigeria House.

The forum urged the community to “let New York know that Nigerians have finally come to take their rightful place in a city where we are one of the most prominent contributors to its workforce.’’

The Nigerian Forum had on May 16 and 26, organised debates for the mayoral candidates, during which Mr Adams pledged to “deliver the prosperity of New York to the Nigerian community in the city.”