British-Nigerian set to run for UK Labour Party leadership

Following the resignation of Ed Miliband, erstwhile leader of the United Kingdom (UK) Labour Party after the party's failure at the polls, British-Nigerian, Chuka Umunna has announced his intention to contest for the leadership of the British opposition party.

Umunna, who is the son of an Igbo immigrant and British lawyer, is himself a former practising lawyer who was first elected to the UK parliament in 2010 and has been Labour's business spokesman since 2011.

He won his seat for a 2nd time at the just concluded UK election, returning to the parliament to represent his Streatham constituency.

Previously touted in British media as the British Barack Obama, he is a favourite to win the job of party leader.

Announcing his intention to run for party leader in a Facebook post, Umunna said:

"I am pleased today to be announcing that I will be standing for the leadership of the party, some have actually suggested over the last few days that somehow this is now a 10 year project to get the Labour Party back into office ... I think the Labour Party can do it in five years, I want to lead that effort."

Last Sunday, Umunna said that during the election campaign his party had concentrated its policies too much on the poorest and the richest, ignoring the majority of people inbetween.