”
Kemi Badenoch, leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, has drawn controversy after remarks comparing the governance challenges in Nigeria to potential pitfalls for Britain. Speaking at an event organized by Onward, a UK-based think tank, on Thursday, Badenoch highlighted her concerns about the consequences of poor leadership and emphasized the need to preserve Britain’s stability.
In her first major speech of the year, Badenoch reflected on her experiences growing up in Nigeria, her country of origin, to drive home her points about governance and reform.
“And why does this matter so much to me? It’s because I know what it is like to have something and then to lose it,” Badenoch said. “I grew up in a poor country and watched my relatively wealthy family become poorer and poorer, despite working harder and harder as their money disappeared with inflation. I came back to the UK aged 16 with my father’s last £100 in the hope of a better life.”
The Conservative Party leader cited her experiences as a cautionary tale, stressing her determination to prevent Britain from suffering a similar fate. “I have lived with the consequences of terrible governments that destroy lives, and I never, ever want it to happen here,” she added.
Her comments, however, have not gone unnoticed in Nigeria, where she has faced criticism for repeatedly painting the country in a negative light. Vice President Kashim Shettima is among those who have rebuked her remarks, accusing Badenoch of “constantly denigrating” her homeland.
Before rising to prominence in UK politics, Badenoch had been vocal in her criticism of Nigeria, describing it as a country plagued by corruption, insecurity, and poor governance. She has previously recounted personal experiences, including accusations that the Nigerian police once robbed her and stole her brother’s shoes. She also spoke of walking miles to fetch water during her time in the country, despite her family’s relative affluence.
Amid the backlash, a spokesperson for Badenoch defended her stance, stating that the politician “is not interested in laundering Nigeria’s image.”
The remarks have sparked heated debates both in Nigeria and among the Nigerian diaspora in the UK. While some see her comments as a harsh but honest reflection on the challenges facing Nigeria, others argue that her statements undermine her heritage and cast an unfair shadow on the country.
Badenoch’s speech comes as the UK grapples with economic challenges, and the Conservative Party aims to position itself as the party capable of addressing the nation’s pressing concerns. However, her comparisons to Nigeria may continue to draw criticism and fuel discussions about her complex relationship with her country of birth.
Why don’t you just defend your Britain and leave Nigeria out? It’s obvious Kemi is trying to make Britons like her at the detriment of Nigeria. Her misguided utterances nowadays is becoming irritating and kind of show some level of ignorance and so form of stupidity.