United Kingdom Conservative Party leader and Minister for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch, has reignited controversy with remarks about her Nigerian roots, particularly her views on Northern Nigeria.
Speaking in a recent interview with The Spectator, Badenoch declared, “I have nothing in common with the people from the north of the country, the Boko Haram where Islamism is.”
Badenoch, who has faced criticism for her stance on immigration and corruption in Nigeria, doubled down on her dissociation from the country, emphasizing her Yoruba ethnicity as her true identity.
“Being Yoruba is my true identity, and I refuse to be lumped with northern people of Nigeria, who ‘were our ethnic enemies,’ all in the name of being called a Nigerian,” she stated.
Her comments have drawn sharp rebukes from Nigerian officials, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, who recently criticized her for denigrating Nigeria in the British media.
Shettima called on Badenoch to drop her Nigerian name if she no longer identifies with the country, accusing her of spreading divisive rhetoric.
In her interview, Badenoch further distanced herself from Nigeria, stating,
“I find it interesting that everybody defines me as being Nigerian. I identify less with the country than with the specific ethnicity (Yoruba).”
She added that her loyalty lies entirely with the United Kingdom, where she serves in a senior government role.
The vice president’s criticism has prompted reactions from various quarters, including Phrank Shaibu, spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections.
Shaibu called for introspection, suggesting that critics focus on governance rather than Badenoch’s remarks.
