- Before she was elected leader of the Conservative Party, Badenoch described Nigeria as a socialist nation bogged down by the actions and deeds of selfish and thieving politicians
The leader of the United Kingdom, UK, Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has doubled down on her castigation of the management of Nigeria’s affairs by its leaders.
Badenoch had last month stated that her upbringing in Nigeria was tumultuous and checkered, adding that her formative years in the country was typified by fear, insecurity and widespread corruption corruption.
Born in the UK in 1980 to Nigerian Yoruba parents, she married a Scottish banker, Hamish Badenoch, and took her husband’s surname.
Before she was elected leader of the Conservative Party, Badenoch described Nigeria as a socialist nation bogged down by the actions and deeds of selfish and thieving politicians.
He added that she didn’t want the United Kingdom to become another Nigeria that she had to flee due to the perennial socio-economic and political issues.
“This is my country. I don’t want it to become like the place I ran away from. 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.
“I grew up in a place where fear was everywhere. You cannot understand it unless you’ve lived it. Triple-checking that all the doors and windows are locked, waking up in the night at every sound, listening as you hear your neighbours scream as they are being burgled and beaten, wondering if your home would be next,” she said.
Reacting to Badenoch remarks, Vice President Shettima on Monday accused her of denigrating Nigeria.
Shettima had asked Badenoch to remove the “Kemi” from her name if she was not proud of her nation of origin, adding that Nigeria is the greatest black nation on earth
Asked about Shettima’s comments, Badenoch, through her spokesperson, said her bleak description of the situation of things in Nigeria is the truth.
She said she stands by her statements and is not interested in doing public relations 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,” the spokesperson said.
Discussion about this post