Shettima knocks UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch for disrespecting Nigeria

KUNLE SANNI

Vice President Kashim Shettima has strongly criticized Kemi Badenoch, leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, over her remarks about Nigeria.

Badenoch, who was born in the UK to Nigerian Yoruba parents and spent her early years in Nigeria before returning to the UK at 16, reportedly described Nigeria as a “socialist nation brimming with thieving politicians and insecurity” prior to her election as Tory leader.

The remarks have sparked controversy, with many Nigerians questioning Badenoch’s portrayal of the nation of her heritage, given her own prominent political rise in the UK.

In his response, Shettima condemned Badenoch’s comments, suggesting they reflect a lack of respect for Nigeria and its people.

The Vice President emphasized that such remarks undermine the dignity of Nigerians and misrepresent the country’s efforts to address its challenges.

Speaking at the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue at the State House in Abuja on Monday, Shettima said “migrants are the source of lives in all societies”.

“Rishi Sunak, the former British prime minister, originally from India, a very brilliant young man… he never denigrated his nation of ancestry nor poured venoms on India,” the vice-president added.
“Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the British Labour or Conservative Party. We are proud of her in spite of her efforts at denigrating her nation of origin.

“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.

“One out of every three, four black men is a Nigerian and by 2050, Nigeria will surpass the United States, will be the third most populous nation on earth.”