- Badenoch asserted that she identifies less as a ‘Nigerian’ as she is totally different from people in northern Nigeria, an enclave she said is infested by rabid religious extremists and Boko Haram terrorists
The leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has once again cast aspersion on her Nigerian nationality, vehemently pushing back on narratives that amplify her ties with the West African nation.
The vociferous politician said she only sees herself as Yoruba, one of Nigeria’s three major ethnic groups found in the country’s south-western region.
Badenoch asserted that she identifies less as a ‘Nigerian’ as she is totally different from people in northern Nigeria, an enclave she said is infested by rabid religious extremists and Boko Haram terrorists.
“I find it interesting that everybody defines me as being Nigerian. I identify less with the country than with the specific ethnicity [Yoruba],” the politician told British outlet The Spectator in an interview.
“I have nothing in common with the people from the north of the country, the Boko Haram where Islamism is,” she added.
Badenoch has come under fire and public opprobrium in Nigeria due to what many, including public figures, see as her denigration of the country during her public engagements in recent months.
Many Nigerians have lampooned her for portraying the West African country in bad light as she spoke on its widespread corruption and deepening security crisis when discussing Nigeria in the British media.
Many considered most of Ms Badenoch’s comments about Nigeria as disparaging. The vice-president, who Is from the Boko Haram headquarters of Borno, has criticised Mrs Badenoch for her comments.
Shettima told her recently that 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.”
Meanwhile, Badenoch has once again doubled down on the criticism, stating that being Yoruba is her true identity and refuses to be lumped up with northern people of Nigeria, who “were our ethnic enemies” all in the name of being called a Nigerian.
Badenoch added, “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.”
The British politician added, “I am here to protect and I will die protecting this country because I know what’s out there.”
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