UK’s Badenoch Doubles Down on Nigeria’s Criticism Following Shettima’s Challenge

The leader of the United Kingdom Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has reaffirmed her comments about Nigeria, stating she stands by her views despite criticism from Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima.

Badenoch, who spent part of her early years in Nigeria, reportedly described her upbringing as marked by fear and insecurity in a country grappling with corruption. Reflecting on her experiences, she highlighted issues such as governance failures, economic struggles, and insecurity, stating these challenges significantly influenced her perspective.

“This is my country. I don’t want it to become like the place I ran away from. I grew up in Nigeria and saw firsthand what happens when politicians misuse public resources, fail to serve others, and create an atmosphere of fear and hopelessness,” she said.

Badenoch emphasized her desire to live in a society where hard work and integrity are rewarded, contrasting her experiences in Nigeria with opportunities she found in the UK. She also recounted growing up in an environment where fear was pervasive, citing incidents of burglary and violence in her neighborhood as regular occurrences.

In response, Vice President Shettima criticized Badenoch’s remarks, accusing her of denigrating Nigeria and suggesting she reconsider her connection to her Nigerian heritage. Shettima challenged her to remove “Kemi” from her name if she was not proud of her origins.

Reacting through her spokesperson, Badenoch reiterated her stance, stating she is committed to speaking candidly about her experiences. “She tells the truth as it is and stands by her statements. She is not interested in public relations exercises to appease critics,” the spokesperson said.

The exchange has sparked debate about perceptions of Nigeria among its diaspora and the broader implications of such narratives for the country’s image and development.