In a recent statement, Kemi Badenoch, leader of the United Kingdom's Conservative Party, has firmly reiterated her stance on her identity and connection to Nigeria, following criticism from Nigeria's Vice President, Kashim Shettima. Badenoch, who has openly expressed her pride in her Yoruba heritage, emphasized her disassociation from the northern regions of Nigeria, which she described as a "haven for Islamism and Boko Haram."
During an interview with The Spectator, Badenoch stated, "I identify less with the country than with the specific ethnicity (Yoruba)." Her comments have sparked significant backlash from various Nigerian political figures and citizens alike. In response to Shettima's remarks suggesting she could change her name if she wished to distance herself from Nigeria, Badenoch asserted that her identity is rooted in her Yoruba heritage and not defined by the broader national narrative.
"I find it interesting that everybody defines me as being Nigerian," she remarked. "I have nothing in common with the people from the north of the country." This statement reflects her personal experiences growing up in Nigeria amidst instability and corruption, which she has frequently highlighted in her public discourse.
Shettima criticized Badenoch's comments during a speech at the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue in Abuja, where he expressed pride in her accomplishments but accused her of disparaging her homeland. He stated, “She is entitled to her own opinions; she has even every right to remove the Kemi from her name but that does not underscore the fact that the greatest black nation on earth is called Nigeria.”
Badenoch's spokesperson responded to Shettima's accusations by clarifying that she is not interested in acting as a public relations representative for Nigeria. "Kemi stands by what she said," the spokesperson affirmed. "She tells the truth and will not soften her words."