YouTube star Niko Omilana has sparked controversy by entering politics, registering as a candidate for Member of Parliament (MP) in 11 different UK constituencies. This move appears to contravene rules set by the UK Electoral Commission and has garnered significant public and media interest. Omilana, known for his attention-grabbing stunts and pranks, announced his political aspirations on X, where he expressed his goal to “completely remove” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak from political office. He criticized Sunak’s proposed national service program, which includes military service, and vowed to “declare war on the system.”
MY FULL MANIFESTO #VoteNiko pic.twitter.com/VyHDcA9tcV
— NDL Ringside (@NikoOmilana) June 21, 2024
Niko Omilana: Who is he ?
With over seven million YouTube subscribers, Niko Omilana gained prominence through daring stunts, including an infamous attempt to infiltrate the KSI v. Logan Paul boxing rematch and enter the ring. His recent foray into politics isn’t entirely new, as in 2021, he ran independently for Mayor of London, receiving close to 50,000 votes. Following this campaign, he released a widely-viewed video titled “How I Won the London Mayor Election,” which amassed over 16 million views.
remember when niko omilana snuck into the ring after clash at the castle 2022? 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/n2b5RVhWzm
— 𝐖𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐘𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫 🗣️ (@b1tterblade) June 15, 2024
The UK Electoral Commission has indicated that any potential legal action concerning Omilana’s numerous candidacies would fall under the purview of the police. “We are aware that the same person has been nominated as a candidate in a number of constituencies at the general election. Candidates must confirm in their nomination papers that they are not standing in any other constituency. It is an offence for an individual to provide false information on nomination papers when applying to stand as a candidate, including to falsely confirm that they are not standing in another constituency. If that has occurred, it would be a matter for the police to consider,” the Commission said in a statement emailed to TIME.
The Commission also clarified that under current electoral laws, they must take the details provided in candidate nomination forms at “face value.” Under current electoral laws, the nominations will remain valid unless a formal investigation or evidence suggests otherwise. If Niko Omilana is found guilty of providing false information on his nomination forms, he could face a maximum prison sentence of six months along with a fine. Local authorities, including West Midlands Police and North Yorkshire Police, have acknowledged receiving information about Omilana’s multiple candidacies and are collaborating with relevant authorities to investigate the matter.
Niko Omilana is known for his role in the NDL (Niko Defense League) Movement, characterized by his boundary-pushing approach. Prior to gaining fame, he worked at BuzzFeed. His mix of parody videos, original sketches, and vlogs has garnered a large fan following. One of his most popular videos parodies the Drake and Future song “Jumpman,” which has accumulated over a million views. He has also ventured into retail, launching merchandise lines through his website.
Born in Staffordshire and raised in London, Omilana continues to attract public attention, whether through his comedic content or his recent foray into politics, with the outcomes of his actions yet to be determined.