British Conservative leadership hopeful Kemi Badenoch has stirred controversy with her recent remarks about Nigeria, her country of birth.
In an attempt to present herself as a reformist ready to bring change to Britain, Badenoch described Nigeria as a country that “destroys life” and accused the Nigerian government of enslaving its people. She further recounted how she left Nigeria for the UK with only £100, a statement that has sparked mixed reactions.
In response, veteran journalist and Arise News anchor Ruben Abati did not hold back. Speaking in a discussion with Ojy Okpe from 22:05, Rufai Oseni, and other Arise News presenters, Abati dismissed Badenoch’s claims with a sharp rebuttal.
Reacting to Badenoch’s statement, Abati questioned the significance of her claim about leaving Nigeria with £100.
“Who cares if she left Nigeria with £100? She’s lucky to have it and spend £25 on lunch.”
Abati went further to point out that many Nigerians who left the country for greener pastures had even fewer resources.
“Some left to relocate with a bag of garri and a bottle of groundnut. She’s even lucky to have £100 to spend £25 on three lunch hours,” he quipped.
His response highlights the resilience of Nigerians who migrate with little but work hard to build successful lives abroad.
Rather than attacking Nigeria, Abati advised Badenoch to focus on fixing the Conservative Party, which, according to recent YouGov polls, has fallen behind Reform UK.
“If she says she is looking to reform Britain, let her start with the party she met. That’s the more urgent assignment. The Conservative Party, in the last poll conducted by YouGov, is trailing behind Reform UK. Reform UK has gained over 15% since the last election, while the Conservative Party has declined by about 10%. So, she should be more interested in positioning her party because that’s the primary assignment she has been given rather than criticizing Nigeria,” he argued.
Badenoch’s remarks have sparked a broader conversation on how Nigerians in the diaspora view their home country. While it is true that Nigeria faces numerous socio-political and economic challenges, critics argue that her approach of outright condemnation is not constructive. Others believe she is merely using Nigeria’s struggles as a political tool to win favor among British conservatives.
Badenoch’s comments—and Abati’s fiery response—underscore a recurring debate about national identity, migration struggles, and political narratives. While Nigerians abroad often critique the country’s governance, the way they do so matters. Constructive criticism can drive meaningful change, but dismissive remarks may alienate those working to improve the nation.
As the UK Conservative Party navigates its internal crises, Badenoch may have bigger battles to fight at home. Perhaps, as Abati suggests, she should focus on rebuilding her party before turning her sights on Nigeria.
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