“I’m Not Nigeria’s PR, I Stand By My Comments” – Kemi Badenoch Replies VP Shettima

Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the UK Conservative Party, has defended her comments about Nigeria, despite criticism from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who accused her of disrespecting the country.

Badenoch, who was born in the UK but spent much of her childhood in Nigeria, has often spoken about her upbringing, describing it as marked by fear and insecurity in a nation struggling with corruption.

She had spoken out about Nigeria, “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.”

She continued, “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.”

During a recent event in Abuja, Vice President Shettima criticized her remarks, accusing her of disrespecting Nigeria.

He compared her to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a “brilliant young man” from India, who has never spoken negatively about his home country.

Kashim Shettima also suggested that Badenoch change her first name if she no longer identified with Nigeria.

“She is entitled to her own opinions; she has even every right to remove the Kemi from her name, but that does not underscore the fact that the greatest black nation on earth is the nation called Nigeria,” he said.

When asked about Shettima’s comments, Badenoch’s spokesperson stated that she stands by her words and is 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,” the spokesperson added.

KanyiDaily recalls that Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), recently revealed that her office reached out to Kemi Badenoch, but did not receive a response.