The leader of the United Kingdom (UK) Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, says she stands by her remarks about Nigeria, despite criticism from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who accused her of denigrating the country.
Badenoch, born in the UK but largely raised in Nigeria, has frequently described her upbringing as being overshadowed by fear and insecurity in a country plagued by corruption.
Badenoch had earlier criticised the country, saying, “I grew up in Nigeria, and I saw firsthand what happens when politicians are in it for themselves, when they use public money as their private piggy banks, when they pollute the whole political atmosphere with their failure to serve others.
“I saw what socialism is for millions. I saw poverty and broken dreams. I came to Britain to make my way in a country where hard work and honest endeavour can take you anywhere.”
On Monday, Vice President Kashim Shettima responded, accusing Badenoch of denigrating Nigeria. He compared her to former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a “brilliant young man” from India, who has never spoken negatively about his ancestral country, and urged Badenoch to change her first name if she no longer wished to identify with her homeland.
When asked about Shettima’s comments, Badenoch’s spokesman said she stands by her statements and not interested in “doing PR for Nigeria.”
“She is the leader of the opposition, and she is very proud of her leadership of the opposition in this country.
“She tells the truth. She tells it like it is. She’s not going to couch her words, and she stands by what she says.”
Vanguard
