Kemi Badenoch, leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, has revealed that she identifies more closely with her Yoruba heritage than with Nigeria as a whole.
In an interview with The Spectator, Badenoch stated that she feels little connection to northern Nigeria, describing it as a “haven for Islamism and Boko Haram.” She remarked, “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, “I have nothing in common with the people from the north of the country, the Boko Haram where Islamism is.”
Her comments have sparked widespread criticism from Nigerians, including notable figures. Among them is Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who recently addressed Badenoch, suggesting she could change her name if she wished to distance herself from Nigeria. Shettima referred to Nigeria as the “greatest black nation on earth.”
Despite the backlash, Badenoch has stood firm on her stance, emphasizing her connection to her Yoruba roots. She explained, “Somebody once told me when I was very young that my surname was a name for people who were warriors. They protected the crown, and that’s what I see myself as doing.” She further stated, “I am here to protect, and I will die protecting this country because I know what’s out there.”
Sahara Reporters earlier reported Vice President Shettima’s criticism of Badenoch for what he described as disparaging remarks about her country of origin. Speaking during the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue at the State House in Abuja, Shettima said, “Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the British Labour or Conservative Party. We are proud of her in spite of her efforts at denigrating her nation of origin.”
He continued, “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 the nation called Nigeria.”
Highlighting Nigeria’s global importance, Shettima stated, “One out of every three, four black men is a Nigerian and by 2050, Nigeria will support the United States and will be the third most populous nation on earth.”
