TheCable

The internet was abuzz with what looked like a landmark achievement by a Nigerian a few days ago — that Benjamin Enwegbara, a Nigerian economist, had won a seat in the Austrian senate, thereby becoming the first African to achieve the feat.

TheCable, ever eager to broadcast the achievements of diasporic Nigerians in a world full of negative news about the country, joined the fray in celebrating the news.

But just how true is the reported feat? Based on fresh facts, it can only be partially true — to the extent that Enwegbara actually ran for the position. But in truth, it was an aborted dream. He lost.

In a message to his friends and well-wishers, Enwegbara clarified the reports thus: “Some unknown people have sent some misleading information to my siblings around the world that I won a Senate Seat in Austria pretending to be me.

“Yes, it’s true that I contested for the Seat of the highest lawmaking body in Austria, which is called in German Language ‘Nationalratswahl 2019.’ Yes, it’s true that I’m the first black man to have ever been nominated to contest such high political position. It’s also true that our Party (Neos) for the first time got higher number of seats in the Parliament. But to put record straight, the Opposition Party won the Seat I contested.

“I’ll work closely with my colleagues in the Parliament and the opposition who won the seat in transforming and bringing prosperity to all Austrians.”

In Austria, parliament has two chambers – the national council and the federal council.

Benjamin lives in Vienna, capital of Austria. The 57-year-old has years of experience in the management sub-sector. He worked as a management consultant and director of Meriben Limited, a London based company.