Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, has faced backlash following remarks about her identity and her views on Nigeria during an interview with The Spectator.
Badenoch, who highlighted her Yoruba heritage, distanced herself from identifying as Nigerian, citing concerns about extremism in the country’s northern region.
“I find it interesting that everybody defines me as being Nigerian. I identify less with the country than with the specific ethnicity [Yoruba],” Badenoch said.
She further stated, “I have nothing in common with the people from the north of the country, the Boko Haram where Islamism is.”
The comments have drawn widespread criticism from Nigerians, with public figures accusing Badenoch of perpetuating negative stereotypes about the nation on international platforms. This incident follows her previous critiques of Nigeria’s challenges with corruption and insecurity in British media.
Responding to her remarks, Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima, who hails from Borno—a region heavily affected by Boko Haram—called her comments divisive. “She could go ahead and change her name if she does not want any association with the greatest black nation on earth, the nation called Nigeria,” Shettima said.
Badenoch, however, stood by her statements, emphasizing her strong connection to her Yoruba roots. “Being Yoruba is my true identity, and I refuse to be lumped up with northern people of Nigeria, who ‘were our ethnic enemies,’ all in the name of being called a Nigerian,” she stated.
Reflecting on her heritage, Badenoch recounted a personal anecdote: “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.”
Badenoch concluded by affirming her commitment to the UK. “I am here to protect and I will die protecting this country because I know what’s out there,” she said.
