Kemi Badenoch, leader of the UK Conservative Party, has once again voiced sharp criticism of her home country, Nigeria, highlighting its governance failures during a speech outlining her vision for “real conservatism” in Britain.
Speaking on Thursday, Badenoch reflected on her upbringing in Nigeria, recounting the economic struggles her family faced under prolonged misgovernance. She warned against policies that could lead Britain down a similar path.
“I grew up in a poor country, and I watched my relatively wealthy family become poorer and poorer and poorer despite working harder as their money disappeared with inflation,” she said.
Badenoch, who migrated to the UK at 16 with her father’s last £100, described her determination to prevent Britain from experiencing the hardships she witnessed in Nigeria.
Read also: Nigeria’s self-inflicted wounds: A reflection on Kemi Badenoch’s critique
“I’ve lived with the consequences of a terrible government that destroys lives, and I never ever want that to happen here,” Badenoch emphasized, linking her experiences to her push for a “better, richer, and safer” future for younger Brits.
This is not the first time Badenoch has openly criticized Nigeria. She previously described the Nigerian police as “armed robbers,” accusing them of intimidating citizens rather than protecting them.
Her remarks have sparked controversy, with Vice President Kashim Shettima recently responding to her comments. “If she doesn’t want any association with the greatest black nation on earth, Nigeria, she should change her name,” Shettima said.
Badenoch’s remarks resonate with a broader critique of governance in Nigeria, a country often labeled as underachieving despite its vast potential. However, her repeated public criticisms have also raised questions about the balance between calling out failures and maintaining pride in one’s heritage.
As Badenoch advances her conservative agenda in the UK, her reflections on Nigeria serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of failed leadership.
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