British Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, has again drawn sharp criticism following comments made during an event organized by the think tank Onward.
In her remarks, Badenoch expressed concerns about Britain potentially facing the challenges she attributes to Nigeria, describing her home country as plagued by “terrible governments.”
The Conservative Party leader, who was born in the UK but mostly raised in Nigeria, had repeatedly described growing up in fear and insecurity in a country plagued by corruption.
Nigerian Vice-President Kashim Shettima accused her of denigrating the country.
Speaking to the audience on Thursday, Badenoch recounted her upbringing in Nigeria and how her family struggled financially despite working hard. She noted that her experience shaped her determination to prevent similar circumstances in the UK.
“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.”
Badenoch’s comments drew attention for their critical tone, particularly her remark about the Nigerian government:
“I have lived with the consequences of terrible governments that destroy lives, and I never, ever want it to happen here.”
Badenoch further criticized Nigerian institutions, including the police, comparing her experiences in Nigeria to those in the UK.
She accused the Nigerian police of corruption, sharing a personal anecdote:
“The police in Nigeria will rob us,” she said, to laughter from the audience. “When people say I have this bad experience with the police because I’m black, I say well, I remember the police stole my brother’s shoe and his watch.”
These statements have been met with backlash from Nigerians, with many accusing her of reinforcing negative stereotypes and distancing herself from her roots.
Critics argue that Badenoch’s comments overlook the complexities of Nigeria’s challenges, while others see them as a betrayal of her heritage.
Some have taken to social media to express disappointment, accusing her of using her background to score political points.
While some observers have defended Badenoch’s remarks as honest reflections of her experiences, others have urged her to focus on contributing solutions rather than critiquing from afar.
This is not the first time Badenoch’s comments about Nigeria have stirred controversy. Recently, she distanced herself from the country’s northern region, stating she has “nothing to do with the Islamic northern region.”
As the leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, Badenoch’s remarks highlight the tension between personal narratives and political diplomacy, sparking debates about identity, governance, and the responsibility of leaders with multicultural roots.