Mableton Mayoral Hopeful Reacts To Being Disqualified

MABLETON, GA — A former Mableton mayoral candidate who was disqualified due to a returned check told Patch leading the town is his dream and passion.

Rev. Henry Okafor, who operates a church and multiple businesses, was told about two days ago by elections officials he could not run for mayor because a $900 check for a qualifying fee payment did not clear.

Cobb County Elections Director Janine Eveler said Tuesday Okafor submitted a check for the payment and it was returned due to insufficient funds. His name was removed from the ballot.

The news came one day after Paul Chukelu was disqualified for a return check. Chukelu was running for the Mableton City Council District 3 seat.

Okafor said he did not learn about the bounced check until he came back from a trip to Nigeria, where he buried his mother. He said life events moved so quickly for him that he was unaware the money was not available at the time. He maintained the money is presently available.

"The money didn’t clear on time," Okafor said. "The money is there."

He said he is sorry the check bounced.

Okafor has until Feb. 3 to show evidence the returned check was an error of the bank. He said he has been to the bank four times, and the bank refuses to write a letter accepting fault.

He has offered to pay in cash, but he said elections officials will not accept cash.

The longtime Mableton resident said he wanted to bring change to his community, prompting him to run for mayor.

"I live here," he said. "I see what’s going on here."

Okafor said he would like to see cleaner parks, better schools and apartments and a reduced cost of living in Mableton.

"I want to make Mableton a place of joy and contentment," he said. "… I want to make it the Las Vegas of Georgia."

As for pursuing the mayoral seat in the future, Okafor said it is possible.

"I just want (people) to see I can do what I promised," he said. "I just want people to be happy."

Patch has reached out to Cobb County Elections for comment.