Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A Reform UK candidate who once suggested Nigerians should be "melted down" to fill potholes has been elected as a councillor in Sunderland, northern England. Glenn Gibbins won the Hylton Castle ward seat in the United Kingdom local elections held on May 7, 2026. His victory has sparked widespread outrage after his history of inflammatory social media posts, including derogatory comments about Nigerians, Muslims, and women, resurfaced following the election result. In a March 2024 post, Gibbins wrote, "Carnt believe amount of nigerians in town…..should melt them all down and fill in the pot holes!!"
The comment was part of a series of offensive remarks unearthed by anti‑racism group Hope Not Hate. Among other things, Gibbins called boat migrants "an army of Muslims who will in time turn on us," described BBC presenters Mel and Sue as the "unfunniest fat repulsive lesbian hosts ever," and said female sports commentators should "stick to cooking, sewing, and homemaking." The Labour Party, which lost the seat to Reform UK in a night of heavy defeats, condemned Gibbins's comments as "racist and misogynistic" and urged Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to disown the candidate. Reform UK, which made major gains across England in the local elections, has not publicly commented on Gibbins's victory.
The election of Glenn Gibbins has triggered a furious reaction on social media, with many questioning how a candidate with such openly racist views could be elected to public office. Reform UK has been accused of failing to properly vet its candidates, a charge the party has faced repeatedly during its rapid expansion across the United Kingdom. Gibbins has not issued any apology or statement since the election results were announced. His social media accounts have been deleted or made private.
Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu‑Ojukwu, has not yet issued an official statement on the matter. However, the Nigerian community in the UK and civil society groups in Nigeria have demanded an apology from Reform UK and a condemnation of Gibbins's remarks. A spokesperson for the Nigerian High Commission in London said the commission is aware of the situation and is monitoring developments.
The United Kingdom local elections saw Reform UK secure significant gains, capitalising on voter dissatisfaction with the Labour government led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. While the party's surge reshaped the political landscape, the election of a candidate with a documented history of racist rhetoric has raised serious questions about the party's candidate selection processes.
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