A political party registered in the United Kingdom, The Yoruba Party (YPUK) has declared that it will nominate candidates to fly the party flag in the next general election in the UK. party is on the Great Britain register and is registered to stand candidates in England, Scotland, and Wales.
Founded by Olusola Oni on February 13, 2024, The Yoruba Party aims to empower the Yoruba voice in British politics.
The decision to nomin ate candidates comes after the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s announcement in May that he would dissolve the parliament on May 30 and call for a general election on July 4.
According to a campaign pamphlet obtained by TheCable, the party’s manifesto includes commitments to addressing climate change, reducing taxes, improving the national health service, reforming immigration policies, and assisting Yoruba individuals in the UK to achieve their full potential.
In a bold statement from one of the posters on the party’s social media account, YPUK declared, “Labour don’t know what to do. Tory don’t know what to do. We know what to do. Vote for the Yoruba Party.”
The pamphlet further states, “The prime minister has called parliamentary elections for 4 July 2024. The Yoruba Party in the UK shall be fielding candidates for these elections. The Yoruba Party provides a political voice for the UK Yoruba community.”
The party has been officially listed on the UK Electoral Commission’s website.
In an article published in May 2024, Oni had thrown more lights on the decision to float a party in the UK. He said: “I founded the YPUK to encourage, energise and assist Yoruba people domiciled in the United Kingdom to achieve their full potential as individuals and as a group, and to encourage and assist them to contribute their all to the political and socio-economic life, and the development and growth of the UK.
“By active participation in UK life, YPUK means standing candidates in local and parliamentary elections in the UK, changing the negative perception of the UK public of black Britons, showcasing the Yoruba culture and tradition to the UK public, advertising ancient and modern Yoruba achievements in the UK and campaigning for and publicising worldwide the Yoruba cause whatever that might be
“The YPUK has created a brand, a known entity, which the community could identify with and relate to. The YPUK shows commitment different from the usual stereotypes that the British have of black people. Best of all, YPUK gives the Yoruba access to electoral power in the UK.” YPUK founder said
Olusola Oni, the founder, also serves as the treasurer, while Oluwole Oni holds the position of nominating and campaign officer.
Peoplesmind