UK Mayor, Princess Bright, has called for greater unity and collaboration among Nigerian-British politicians, warning that internal competition and a lack of mutual support are stalling the community’s progress in UK politics.
In an interview on Newscentral’s Jasiri reflecting on the current state of representation, Bright acknowledged the notable strides made by Nigerians in British public office but stressed that without strategic togetherness, those gains risk being undermined.
“There’s still a way to go — I wouldn’t say a long way,” she said. “Even if we just think of the London boroughs right now, we’ve had elections for various mayors, and there’s been about five or six of us. There’s even Councillor Jackson in Islington — a Nigerian who was elected as mayor. So, in UK politics, there are a lot of us, and we are taking up our positions.”
However, Bright highlighted a persistent problem: a lack of unity and collective effort among Nigerians within the political space.
“What needs to be done better is us coming together,” she noted. “What we do see is a lot of us who want positions, but if we’re not supporting each other to get there, we end up going against each other. And if we’re divided, it’s very impossible for us to achieve.”
She cited her experience in Barking and Dagenham, a highly diverse borough where she has enjoyed cross-party and community support, underscoring the importance of political visibility and active participation.
Despite the challenges, she remains optimistic about Nigerians’ growing presence in UK politics, noting that numerous MPs, councillors, mayors, and associations are now working to consolidate their influence.
“There are a lot of us, and we’re building that community. But it needs to be stronger because, like I said, it’s like we’re fighting a battle against the unknown,” she remarked.
