Olusola Oni, a Nigerian candidate representing the “Yoruba Party in the U.K.,” was defeated in the Peckham parliamentary election, securing only 261 votes.
The election winner, Miatta Nema Fahnbulleh, a Liberian-born British economist, garnered an overwhelming 22,813 votes.
Fahnbulleh, who previously served as the Chief Executive of the New Economics Foundation until December 2023, won the seat in the 2024 United Kingdom general election.
Oni’s candidacy has sparked controversy and backlash from Nigerians, who criticised him for establishing what they described as a tribal party outside Nigeria.
Many accused him of promoting tribalism, drawing parallels to the 2023 general elections in Lagos, where Igbos faced voting restrictions and were told to vote in their states of origin.
Critics argued that while Oni is free to participate in elections abroad, similar tribal divisions should not be tolerated in Nigeria.
In a broader context, the Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, emerged victorious in the UK general election, ending 14 years of Conservative rule.
The Labour Party secured a commanding majority with 410 seats in the 650-seat parliament, while the Conservatives won 117 seats.
The Liberal Democrats won 70 seats.
The election was particularly devastating for the Conservatives, with 250 of their lawmakers, including senior ministers and former Prime Minister Liz Truss, losing their seats.
In his victory speech, Prime Minister-elect Keir Starmer pledged to lead the country through change, acknowledging the hard work and commitment required to rebuild the UK.
“We did it. Change begins now. We said we would end the chaos, and we will. Today, we start the next chapter, begin the work of change, the mission of national renewal, and start to rebuild our country. I don’t promise you it will be easy,” Starmer cautioned.
“Changing a country is not like flicking a switch. It’s hard work. Patient, determined work, and we will have to get moving immediately.”
Outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak accepted the defeat gracefully, taking full responsibility for the Conservative Party’s loss.
“Today power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner, with goodwill on all sides. There is much to learn and reflect on, and I take responsibility for the loss to the many good, hardworking Conservative candidates. I am sorry,” Sunak said.
