Elizabeth Bright becomes youngest Nigerian councillor in the UK at the age of 22

ELIZABETH Bright has become the youngest Nigerian councillor in the UK after being elected to represent Eastbrook Ward in Barking and Dagenham as part of a landslide victory for the Labour Party that saw it win all 51 seats on the council.

Councillor Bright, 22, is one of dozens of Nigerians elected across the country in yesterday's council elections, including some veterans and a lot of newcomers. Ms bright, the daughter of former Dagenham mayor Sade Bright, was elected alongside councillors Mick McCarthy and Tony Ramsay in her ward.

Councillor Bright said: "I have officially been elected as the youngest Labour councillor in my borough representing the fantastic Eastbrook Ward at the tender age of 22 alongside two amazing people Mick McCarthy and Tony Ramsay. We have worked so hard in this election, with one of the most target wards and all the hard work, commitment and tears have finally paid off.

"I would like to say a massive thank you to all who have supported Eastbrook in this campaign. From the constituency Labour Party, to the borough-wide councillors, my amazing MP Jon Cruddas who canvassed with me till the last hour, volunteers, friends and of course to the most supportive parents Afolasade Bright and Pastor Gbolahan Bright."

Among the other Nigerian councillors elected include veterans Kate Anolue and Susan Fajana-Thomas who were returned in Enfield and Hackney respectively, both for the Labour Party. Among the new intake of Nigerian councillors were Celia Hibbert of the Labour Party in Upper Penn in Wolverhampton.

Several newcomers including the likes of Yetunde Adeshile and Jahmain Sanwoolu of the Conservative Party were not so fortunate as they finished second in Pitsea North West in Basildon and Morley South in Leeds respectively. Results are still coming in but the Labour Party now has the largest number of councillors, followed by the Conservatives, with the Liberal Democrats in third place.