Edafe is originally from Nigeria. He earned a master’s degree from New York University. He lives with his husband in New York City and attends the Unitarian Church.

Edafe currently leads Refuge America, an organization he founded to assist LGBTQ asylum seekers. He previously directed New York’s first shelter for asylum seekers and worked with the Biden Administration’s Operation Allies Welcome to resettle Afghan refugees.

Edafe Okporo’s campaign for city council is his first run for public office.

As of May 5, 2025, Edafe Okporo’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Economy

Public Services

Raise pay for paraprofessionals to help fill special education teacher vacancies.

- Supports universal childcare.
- Raise pay for paraprofessionals to help fill special education teacher vacancies.

Education

Supports increasing funding for social housing programs and fulfilling the city's commitment to the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA).

Opposes the privatization of NYCHA management, which has been shown to increase evictions.

Opposes the privatization of NYCHA management.

- Supports increasing funding for social housing programs and fulfilling the city's commitment to the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA).
- Opposes the privatization of NYCHA management.

Housing & Urban Development

Supports investing in community-oriented solutions to improve safety, such as increasing funding for mental health programs and providing permanent housing and mental health interventions.

Opposes criminalizing delivery workers and advocates for regulating e-bikes used by delivery workers.

- Supports investing in community-oriented solutions to improve safety, such as increasing funding for mental health programs and providing permanent housing and mental health interventions.
- Opposes criminalizing delivery workers and advocates for regulating e-bikes used by delivery workers.

Public Safety

Supports processing the backlog of street vendor permit applications to allow legal operation of street vendors.

Supports bolstering the Fair Fares program by raising the income eligibility threshold to 200% of poverty level and automatically enrolling people who qualify for other programs such as SNAP.

- Supports processing the backlog of street vendor permit applications to allow legal operation of street vendors.
- Supports bolstering the Fair Fares program by raising the income eligibility threshold to 200% of poverty level and automatically enrolling people who qualify for other programs such as SNAP.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Supports increasing funding for the city’s mental health court program.

Said, "I will not seek or accept endorsements from anyone who opposes LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights, and I will denounce any such individuals and organizations."

- Supports increasing funding for the city’s mental health court program.
- Said, "I will not seek or accept endorsements from anyone who opposes LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights, and I will denounce any such individuals and organizations."
- Supports access to abortion care.

Healthcare

Energy & the Environment

Instagram

LinkedIn

Twitter

Edafe Okporo

Supports fighting against budget cuts, protecting immigrant neighbors, funding programs for older adults, defending union jobs, and improving the lives of all New Yorkers.

Opposes the incumbent's decision to vote for the FY2023 budget, which cut $250 million for schools.

- City Council Members work together to enact local laws, approve the city budget, and oversee land use and zoning regulations. ​
- Council Members oversee city agencies, ensuring they effectively serve the public and address community needs. ​

Passes laws and regulations for your city