A British YouTube star has been causing a stir during the UK general election, by becoming an unlikely parliamentary candidate in Rishi Sunak's seat.
Niko Omilana is a 26-year-old content creator from Staffordshire with around 7 million followers on the video platform, having gained popularity for his parody videos, original comedic sketches, pranks and various vlog entries.
Despite dominating the realm of online entertainment, the YouTuber has been making waves in the British political arena in recent months.
And, following Labour's landslide victory in the results of the general election today, Omilana could be seen mocking Rishi Sunak with a loser sign as the former Prime Minister wins his Northallerton seat.
So, who is Niko Omilana and how has the digital influencer made an impact on traditional politics? Read on to find out.
Despite dominating the realm of online entertainment, Youtuber Niko Omilana (pictured) has been making waves in the British political arena as of late (stock image)
Niko Omilana, 26, is an influencer born to an English mother and a Yoruba Nigerian father in London, but was raised in Staffordshire after his parents divorced.
He began his career as a content creator by positing original comedic sketches, pranks and vlogs, which quickly earned him a whopping 7.5M following on YouTube.
A former member of Buzzfeed, Omilana is now founder of the NDL Movement (Niko Defence League) and a member of the popular YouTube group, Beta Squad.
In August 2018, he successfully snuck into the KSI vs Logan Paul boxing match and was able to get into the ring, where he conducted prank interviews with Jake Paul, Logan Paul and Shannon Briggs.
Later, in November 2019, he successfully sneaked into the rematch between the boxers and attempted to get in the ring, but was swiftly removed by security guards.
These successful stunts earned him the respect of fellow YouTubers around the globe.
Omilana began his career as a content creator by positing original comedic sketches, pranks and vlogs, which quickly earned him a whopping 7.5M following on Youtube (stock image)
In April 2021, Omilana ran in the London mayor elections - and a surprising result surfaced over support for the YouTube star.
Polls suggested the youngest candidate was due to come fifth, with a projection of five per cent of the vote.
He actually won 49,628 first-choice votes - a total of 1.96 per cent - and 75,199 people put Mr Omilana as their second choice.
On May 9, 2021, he tweeted: 'I will not stop until the whole country is run on vibes.'
His policies included removing the teeth of racists; banning three-quarter length trousers; and ensuring people offer pregnant women a seat on the Tube within a minute of stepping into a carriage - otherwise the women are allowed to drive the rest of the route.
He also vowed to reduce the price of a Freddo bar back to 5p in a reference to many people's inflation yardstick.
Ahead of the vote, he told Buzzfeed: 'I'm taking it extremely seriously. I don't know how I can convey it to the voters any more than [I am] right now.'
The YouTuber ultimately didn't win but he also didn't come last - after winning more votes than Laurence Fox for the Reclaim Party.
Niko Omilana seen in London in the run up to the London Mayoral race (stock image)
UKIP's Peter Gammon (right) and Rejoin EU's Richard Hewison (left) with Independent Niko Omilana arriving at City Hall, London, for the declaration for the next Mayor of London
Omilana's name has been registered in 11 different constituencies as an MP candidate - which appears to be a breach of Electoral Commission rules.
The Electoral Commission says it is aware of the current situation, and that should any action be taken, it would be up to the police.
In an emailed statement to TIME, a spokesperson said: '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.'
In 2022, Omilana delivered a speech at the gates of Downing Street among people dressed in circus costume during a staged protest, which called for the resignation of Boris Johnson, who was prime minister at the time.
It took place after Johnson suffered four staff defections as pressure intensified on the embattled leader over lockdown parties and his loose-lipped style of politics.
Niko Omilana poses for pictures with a fan as they stand among people in costume during a staged protest in front of the Downing Street gates, in London, on February 6, 2022
Niko Omilana delivers a speech as he stands among people in costume during a staged protest in front of the Downing Street gates, in London, on February 6, 2022
This morning, Omilana mocked Rishi Sunak with a loser sign when the former Prime Minister won his Northallerton seat.
The YouTuber donned a pair of children's sunglasses as the speaker announced he had won 160 votes in the battle for the North Yorkshire seat.
However, as Mr Sunak took to the stand to concede the General Election despite winning back his seat, the prankster pulled out a piece of paper emblazoned with a giant 'L'.
This morning, Omilana mocked Rishi Sunak with a loser sign as the former Prime Minister wins his Northallerton seat (stock image)
Omilana was able to make it onto the stage as he had stood as an independent candidate in the constituency, winning a total of 160 votes (stock image)
He could be seen moving behind the ex-PM to ensure his sign would be caught in the camera shots as the Conservative leader admitted he had lost the election in the worst Tory defeat in history.
He later wrote on his social media pages, where he has 7.49 million followers: 'Hold this L rishi, your time is up.'
Omilana himself stood as an independent in the constituency, where he won a total of 160 votes.
Prior to the election, in June, Omilana playfully teased that he was planning to 'completely remove' the Sunak from politics.
Taking to X, he wrote, 'Rishi Sunak wants to send young people to war. So I have decided to declare war on the system.'
The YouTuber had been referring to the former Prime Minister's idea to implement a national service program for youths in the U.K., which would include military service for some people.
