According to Nigerian Tribune, Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the UK Conservative Party, has once again made headlines with her remarks about Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, in a recent interview. In the interview, Badenoch expressed a strong sense of identity as a Yoruba, distancing herself from Nigeria’s northern regions.
She emphasized that she has no connection to the north of Nigeria and feels little association with the country as a whole. Her comments have sparked renewed controversy, particularly regarding issues of ethnicity and national identity.
Badenoch’s comments came after Vice President Kashim Shettima criticized her for previously denigrating Nigeria in interviews with British media. Shettima specifically took issue with her remarks on immigration and corruption within Nigerian government officials.
He further suggested that Badenoch should drop her Nigerian name, given her critical stance toward the country. This exchange between the two political figures has fueled a public debate on national identity and the complexities of personal heritage, especially among individuals with Nigerian roots living abroad.
The criticism from Shettima was promptly addressed by Badenoch’s spokesperson, who responded to the accusations, reiterating that her comments were rooted in her personal perspective. Badenoch has consistently voiced concerns about Nigeria’s leadership, often pointing out the challenges posed by corruption and other issues within the government. Her remarks have raised questions about her views on Nigerian politics and the extent to which her experiences as a British politician influence her opinion on the country’s governance.
The latest controversy emerged during an interview with The Spectator, a British publication, where Badenoch was asked about her identity. She took the opportunity to elaborate on her feelings regarding her heritage, emphasizing that her Yoruba background is central to her sense of self. She expressed dismay at being identified simply as Nigerian, noting that such an identification did not align with her personal experiences and beliefs. For Badenoch, being Yoruba represents a true and authentic part of her identity, distinct from the broader Nigerian label.
Badenoch went further to explain that her sense of belonging did not extend to northern Nigeria, a region she described as being historically at odds with the Yoruba people. She cited these differences as part of the reason she resists being associated with northern Nigerians in the context of her national identity. Her remarks reflect a deeper tension surrounding ethnic divisions within Nigeria, a country known for its diversity of cultures, languages, and religious groups.
She said: “Being Yoruba is my true identity, and I refuse to be lumped with northern people of Nigeria, who ‘were our ethnic enemies, ’ all in the name of being called a Nigerian.”