The newly elected United Kingdom Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch has reemphasised his stance on comments about Nigeria following criticism from Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who accused her of disparaging her heritage.
Badenoch, who was born in Wimbledon but spent her formative years in Lagos, Nigeria, has frequently spoken about the challenges of living in a nation she described as plagued by corruption and instability.
During a recent speech, she highlighted the contrast between her childhood experiences in Lagos and the freedoms she found in the United Kingdom (UK), where she later moved to at the age of 16 due to Nigeria’s political and economic challenges.
New Telegraph had on Monday reported that Shettima suggested that Badenoch might “Remove the Kemi from her name” if she lacked pride in her Nigerian roots.
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He also compared her stance to UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, whom he praised for maintaining pride in his Indian ancestry.
In response to the Vice President’s comment, Badenoch’s spokesperson stated that she “Stands by what she says” and is “Not Nigeria’s public relations representative.”
They emphasized her pride in her role as a leader in the UK, reaffirming her commitment to speaking candidly about her experiences.
Badenoch, born Olukemi Adegoke, has said her experiences growing up in Lagos shaped her conservative beliefs and opposition to socialism.
Despite Shettima’s remarks, she maintains that her observations reflect her personal journey and her values as a leader in the UK.
