Charles Onyejiaka Newest Township Council Member

Picked by Township Council from a slate of three candidates.

Charles Onyejiaka takes the Oath of Office at the Jan. 12 Township Council meeting.

The Township Council Jan. 12 picked a leader in the West African community as their newest colleague.

Charles Onyejiaka, a 14-year township resident, was chosen from a field of three to fill the Ward 3 seat vacated when Philip Kramer was sworn in as mayor on Jan. 1.

The other two candidates, presented to the council by township Democrats, were Alex Kharazi and Azim Uddin.

Onyejiaka, chairman of the Democrats’ Ward 3 committee, played a key role in organizing the township’s West African community in support of the Democratic ticket in the November 2015 election.

Onyejiaka is the owner of Labor Source, an employment agency. He served as a member of the township Planning Board, but vacated the seat automatically when he was sworn in as a councilman.

In his acceptance speech, Onyejiaka thanked his family, his friends and the West African community at large.

“I thank God for giving me the privilege and honor of being a councilman,” he said. “I’m happy that history is happening tonight.”

“I know it is not easy to be a councilman, but in the confidence I have in me and in my group, I know it will be easy for me,” he said.

In an email, Onyejiaka said that he wants to be an “efficient, methodical and talented councilman that will considerably contribute to the development on our great Township. I will work as part of the team to establish a shared vision for the future in Franklin Township, make plans that will steer future good Governance.”

“I want to be a Councilman who recognizes the need to foster unity in our community,” he said in the statement. “I will help in building strong working relationships with council members, staff and the community. I will work with my colleagues and constituents to enact the local policies and laws that will ultimately lead to accomplishment. I clearly understand that holding a public office is an act of service to Franklin Township, ward 3 and my party.”

The one year remaining in the term of the seat Onyejiaka holds will be up for grabs in a special election in November.

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