Badenoch stands by Nigeria comments after criticism
3 min read
Kemi Badenoch defends her past comments on Nigeria after backlash from Nigerian Vice-President Kashim Shettima. File pic: PA
Kemi Badenoch, the UK’s Conservative Party leader, has stood by her past remarks regarding her Nigerian upbringing after a backlash from Nigerian Vice-President Kashim Shettima. Shettima accused Badenoch of disparaging Nigeria and suggested that she could “remove the Kemi from her name” if she was not proud of her “nation of origin.”
Badenoch, who was born in the UK but spent much of her early life in Nigeria, has long been outspoken about her experiences growing up in the country. She has consistently described Nigeria as a place plagued by corruption, insecurity, and fear. Her comments have sparked controversy, especially in Nigeria, where the vice-president’s remarks have fueled a heated exchange.
During a recent speech in Abuja on migration, Shettima remarked on Badenoch’s comments, stating that despite her criticisms, Nigeria remained “the greatest black nation on earth.” He suggested that Badenoch could renounce her Nigerian heritage if she was dissatisfied with it. “She is entitled to her own opinions; she has every right to remove the Kemi from her name, but that does not change the fact that Nigeria is the greatest black nation on earth,” Shettima said, receiving applause from the audience.
He also compared Badenoch’s approach to that of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is of Indian heritage. Shettima praised Sunak for never criticizing his country of ancestry, implying that Badenoch’s perspective was different. It remains unclear which specific comments Shettima was referring to, but Badenoch has repeatedly discussed her Nigerian background in interviews and speeches.
Badenoch’s spokesman responded to the vice-president’s criticism, asserting that she “stands by what she says” and is “not the PR for Nigeria.” The spokesperson emphasized that Badenoch is proud of her role as leader of the opposition in the UK and that she will continue to speak her truth. “She tells it like it is. She is not going to couch her words,” the spokesperson told reporters.
Badenoch was born Olukemi Adegoke in Wimbledon, London, in 1980, to Nigerian parents. She spent her early childhood in Lagos, Nigeria, before moving to the United States, where her mother, a professor of physiology, was lecturing. When the political and economic climate in Nigeria deteriorated, Badenoch moved back to the UK at the age of 16, where she lived with a family friend and pursued her A-levels.
After marrying Scottish banker Hamish Badenoch, she adopted her husband’s surname. Throughout her political career, Badenoch has been open about her upbringing in Lagos and the challenges she faced during her childhood. At the Conservative Party conference this year, she vividly described the fear and insecurity she experienced growing up in Lagos. She recalled how, in a lawless city, she would often hear her neighbors scream as they were robbed and beaten, wondering if her family would be the next target.
Badenoch’s comments about her childhood have been shaped by the political and economic instability in Nigeria. She has often spoken about how these experiences led her to develop her conservative views, which are shaped by a rejection of socialism and a belief in individual freedoms. During a recent tour of the US, Badenoch described Lagos as “a place where almost everything seemed broken,” highlighting the contrasts between her experiences there and the opportunities she found upon moving to the UK.
In her remarks about her Nigerian upbringing, Badenoch has made it clear that her criticism of the country is not a rejection of her heritage, but rather an expression of the difficult realities she faced growing up. She has consistently pointed out that the corruption, insecurity, and lack of opportunity she witnessed in Nigeria played a significant role in shaping her worldview.
Despite the criticisms, Badenoch’s stance has been firm. She is unapologetic about sharing her experiences and the lessons they taught her. While some may take offense at her remarks, particularly in light of Shettima’s comments, Badenoch remains steadfast in her commitment to speaking truthfully about her past and her values.
As the controversy continues, it seems clear that Badenoch will not back down from her reflections on Nigeria. While her remarks may have sparked tensions, they also offer a window into the challenges faced by many Nigerians, both at home and abroad.
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