- The 2024 UK elections ended the 14 years of Conservative leadership in the country
- The polls also saw the re-election of some candidates of Nigerian descent
- News of their victory prompted both celebrations and concerns on social media
The elections ended 14 years of Conservative leadership and secured a landslide victory for the Labour Party.
Nigerians elected in 2024 UK elections
The election, which attracted global attention, also saw the (re-)election of some candidates of Nigerian descent, who are listed below.
Kemi Badenoch (Saffron Walden)
Mrs Badenoch received 19,360 votes, accounting for 35.6% of the total, a drop of 26.1% from her previous majority. Kemi Badenoch has been the MP for Saffron Walden since 2017. As a senior member of the Conservative government, she has served as Secretary of State for Business and Trade since 2023 and as President of the Board of Trade and Minister for Women and Equalities since 2022.
Bayo Alaba (Southend East and Rochford)
The first winner announced at the Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre was businessman Bayo Alaba, who received 15,395 votes against Conservative candidate Gavin Haran's 11,368 votes.
Chi Onwurah (Labour MP for Newcastle Central and West)
British-Nigerian Chi Onwurah was elected to the UK parliament. Onwurah, representing the Labour Party, won the Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West constituency, outpacing six other candidates.
Taiwo Owatemi (Coventry North West)
With an 11,000-vote majority, Taiwo Owatemi hailed a ‘better future’ as she was re-elected as MP for Coventry North West. The Labour MP defended her seat, which she had narrowly won by 208 votes in the 2019 election.
Kate Osamor (Labour and Co-operative Party)
Labour has held the constituency of Edmonton and Winchmore Hill in the General Election with Kate Osamor securing 20,520 votes in the poll, ahead of the Conservatives candidate Zoe Huggins in second place, who received 7,888 votes.
Florence Eshalomi (Vauxhall and Camberwell Green)
Florence Eshalomi of Labour wins big in the newly formed Vauxhall and Camberwell Green constituency, securing 57.4% of the vote share, an improvement from 56.1% in 2019.
The news of their victory has prompted both celebrations and discussions about ongoing issues in Nigeria on social media.
Netizens react to Nigerians’ wins in UK election
TheRadar compiled the reactions of people on social media concerning the (re-)election of politicians of Nigerian descent in the 2024 UK elections.
“Nigerians everywhere in the world are excellent and make great strides but at home thieves and criminals hold sway. I can't wrap my head around this reality- that you're more likely to survive and thrive in a foreign land than your own home? It's such an irony,” Abby Abi tweeted.
“Congratulations 🎉,” Princeton added.
“Nigerians are doing well outside. Congratulations to them. Both Igbo and Yoruba won. But here na tribalism dey go dey do. All is well,” Damilola commented.
“Isn't it a shame that our people can contest for political seat in another mans country a white country for that matter sef & yet we fight ourselves all bcos of tribe for political seat ere in Nigeria one mumu go say " go ur state. you wonder why they call d black man monkey sef,” Snoopy P expressed.
“Is it possible in Nigeria here our own motherland? What a shithole country Nigeria is 🤷🏿♂️💩,” Jov Gabriel commented.
“Congrats to them🎉🎉,” Chucks Peter tweeted.
“Pls mk things better for our people over there,” Ola added.
“No queue, no grab it”: Nigerians share their voting experience in UK
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Nigerian diaspora in the United Kingdom participated in the parliamentary elections, displaying substantial voter engagement and turnout.
Nigerians in the country expressed their views and shared their experience during the voting process, comparing it to the kind of democracy being practised in their home country, Nigeria.