UK Conservative Party Leader Kemi Badenoch Reiterates Commitment to Previous Remarks on Nigeria
Despite backlash from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who accused her of disparaging the country, Badenoch stands firm on her comments. As a British-Nigerian who spent much of her childhood in Nigeria, Badenoch has previously spoken candidly about the impact of fear and insecurity on her upbringing, as well as the nation’s struggles with corruption.
Badenoch had previously spoken out against Nigeria, sharing her personal experience of witnessing the corrosive effects of political corruption. She recalled growing up in the country, where she saw politicians prioritizing their own interests over those of the public, using public funds for personal gain, and creating a toxic political environment by failing to serve the greater good.
Badenoch’s remarks sparked a response from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who accused her of disparaging Nigeria. Shettima drew a comparison to Rishi Sunak, the former Prime Minister who is of Indian descent, saying that Sunak has never spoken negatively about his ancestral country. Shettima went further, suggesting that Badenoch change her name if she no longer wanted to identify with Nigeria.
When questioned about Shettima’s comments, Badenoch’s spokesperson reaffirmed her commitment to her previous statements, emphasizing that she is not interested in “engaging in PR for Nigeria.” Instead, she will continue to lead the opposition and speak truthfully about her experiences.
Badenoch is unapologetic about her words and stands by what she says. As the leader of the opposition, she is proud of her leadership and is committed to telling it like it is, without sugarcoating her message.