Nana Akua interrupted GB News to share an urgent announcement about Reform UK. The presenter revealed that Zia Yusuf has returned to Nigel Farage’s party just 48 hours after resigning. She said: “There is breaking news. Of course we heard that Zia Yusuf on Thursday announced that he was leaving Reform UK and now it seems that he is back. That is breaking news right this moment. It seems that Zia Yusuf has returned to Reform UK. Seems a very short time, on Thursday he did say he was doing but no, it seems like he is back.” The GB News host was joined by Lizzie Cundy, who said it is “fantastic news” as she credited Yusuf for taking Reform UK “from strength to strength”.
She continued: “This was just a little spat. He’s calmed down and wants to come back. I am very happy about it.” The TV personality went on to share Farage’s response to the news, adding: “I just got a text from Nigel Farage and he says there is no split, everything is great.” On Thursday, the 38-year-old announced he was quitting, saying: “I no longer believe working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time, and hereby resign the office.”
However, in a shocking U-turn, the politician said his decision to step down was a “mistake” and the result of “exhaustion”.
He said in a new statement: “Over the last 24 hours I have received a huge number of lovely and heartfelt messages from people who have expressed their dismay at my resignation, urging me to reconsider. After 11 months of working as a volunteer to build a political party from scratch, with barely a single day off, my tweet was a decision born of exhaustion.
“I only came into politics out of a sense of duty, to serve the country I love. The country that had been so kind to my parents and presented me with immense opportunity.
“Out of a sense of duty to do whatever I could to reverse decades of decline and make this a country one in which we could be excited for our children to grow up. I came into politics out of belief that Nigel Farage was the man to deliver that.
Yusuf continued: “Having read the messages, I believe in these things more than ever. I know the mission is too important and I cannot let people down.
“So, I will be continuing my work with Reform, my commitment redoubled. Reform has come a long way since I was appointed chairman, and has moved from ‘startup’ to ‘scaleup’.
“Given this, and that we have now won power at a local level, I will focus on a new role. I will be running the UK DOGE team to fight for taxpayers, as well as working on party policy and representing it in the media.
He added: “I will continue to give all my time to the most important project of my life, getting a Reform Government elected with Nigel as Prime Minister.”
Yusuf will lead the “Doge” unit to root out waste in the 10 councils Reform controls. He will also take part in making policy, raising funds and representing Reform UK in the media.
