Edafe has been fighting for others his whole life. Growing up in Nigeria, Edafe and his family lived in a one-bedroom apartment, an experience that shaped his fight for affordable housing today. He became the first in his family to earn a college degree so that he could build a brighter future for his loved ones. And he became an advocate for gay men seeking HIV treatment in Abuja. It was this advocacy that cost him his home and nearly his life–after becoming the target of mob violence, Edafe was forced to seek asylum in New York.

But instead of safety, Edafe was greeted by ICE and was imprisoned for 5 months and 14 days in a private detention facility in Elizabeth, NJ. After he was released from detention, he was homeless for three months, first sleeping on the streets, then a shelter, then a YMCA, and finally a friend’s couch. Determined to right the wrongs faced by others in the asylum process, Edafe led New York’s first shelter for asylum-seekers, dedicating his life to building a city that welcomes everyone—all while writing his memoir, Asylum, and earning a master’s degree from NYU.  

In 2021, Edafe began work helping to resettle 55,000 Afghan refugees across the country through the Biden Administration's Operation Allies Welcome. He received his citizenship in 2022, and he founded the organization Refuge America to assist LGBTQ asylum-seekers. Edafe’s work has been recognized by the prestigious David Prize.

Fighting for housing and immigrant rights aren’t just slogans for Edafe–they are his life. 

An organizer at heart, Edafe believes leadership is about bringing people together to advocate for the community and standing up for those most in need. He and his husband are active members of the neighborhood, attending the Unitarian Church and gardening with neighbors at the Wicked Friendship Garden on W. 150th Street. During the pandemic, Edafe found joy and connection in gardening, forming lifelong friendships, and strengthening his commitment to community.

After witnessing politician after politician promise change but protect the status quo, Edafe decided that the only way to build the city New Yorkers want and deserve is by running for office himself. He is committed to running a grassroots campaign to fight for affordable housing, immigrant rights, retirement with dignity, and a safer city— rejecting corporate PACs and real estate developer donations. Edafe understands that New Yorkers demand leaders who fight for them, not for the donor class.

Together, we thrive!