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By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
The Governor-elect of New Jersey, United States, Mikie Sherrill, has appointed Nigerian-born High Chief (Sir), Charles Ugo Eke, to her Transition Interdisciplinary Advisory Team, making him the first African to be appointed to the transition team.
In a statement, Sherril’s Action Team said Chief Eke was appointed to the advisory team alongside other Americans, to provide feedback to both the Transition Action Teams and Transition staff, regarding the incoming Sherril-Caldwell Administration’s policy priorities.
Mikie Sherrill was elected New Jersey governor on November 4, 2025 after a keenly contested election where she defeated the former state Assemblyman and Republican candidate, Jack Ciattarelli, making her the second female governor of New Jersey.
Mikie Sherrill was a four-term congresswoman and former federal prosecutor. She will replace Gov. Phil Murphy, a term-limited Democrat who has led the Garden State since 2018.
Eke is expected to play a major role in shaping the administration of Governor Sherill.
Eke, who had previously served as the campaign coordinator of Mikie Sherrill and Dale Caldwell in Plainfield NJ, is the first Nigerian to be appointed to such a strategic position in New Jersey, United States.
The Imo-born ICT expert has played significant roles in American elections and held strategic positions.
He was the convener of the popular AfricansForMikie, a notable group which galvanised Africans in New Jersey and canvassed grassroots support for Mikie Sherrill during the election.
In 1996 he founded one of the largest ICT/vocational training companies in two cities in New Jersey, which played a significant role in the field of information technology.
High Chief Eke was also the coordinator of the current Governor of New Jersey, Philip Murphy in two municipalities during his governorship campaigns in 2017 and 2021, where he was appointed to the transition team, setting policies for the incoming governor and the administration.
In 2012, Chief Charles was also appointed Citywide Councilman-at-Large for the City of Plainfield and chairman for AfricansForBiden, a group responsible for outreach in battleground states during the 2020 election.
