Wilmington councilman’s twin brother named as his replacement

They’re keeping it in the family.

A Wilmington committee created to select a replacement for Councilman Nnamdi Chukwuocha has selected his twin brother, Albert Mills, to fill the seat.

Chukwuocha resigned his position on the Wilmington Council after his election to the state House of Representatives earlier this month.

In addition to being identical twins, Mills and Chukwuocha also were named as Delaware’s poets laureate in 2015.

Mills will need the approval of the full 13-member Council, which will consider a motion to do so at its meeting Thursday.

Instead of holding a special election or having a replacement appointed by the mayor or City Council president, Wilmington’s charter calls for vacancies to be filled the same way a company would fill any other job vacancy.

Anyone could apply after meeting a few requirements. The replacement must live in the 1^st Council District and be at least 25 years old. And because Chukwuocha was a Democrat, candidates had to be registered Democrats.

A total of 12 candidates were interviewed for the position before the committee chose Mills.

“The committee is grateful for all of the candidates who participated in this process, but, in the end, we agreed Mr. Mills exhibited many of the qualities and demonstrated the kind of knowledge, experience and insight necessary to represent the city’s 1st District,” said City Council President Hanifa Shabazz in a statement.

Shabazz also chaired the ad hoc selection committee assigned to pick the new Council member.

From appearances on HBO’s “Def Poetry” and NPR’s “Poetic License” to national and international tours, Delaware’s twin poets have shared their gift for verse with thousands.

As poets laureate, they’ve appeared at presentations in schools, libraries, and community centers, as well as in youth and adult correctional facilities.