Kemi Badenoch, UK Conservative Party Leader
Nigerians have shared mixed reactions after British-Nigerian Kemi Badenoch made history by becoming the leader of the UK’s Conservative Party. Badenoch, who represents North West Essex in the UK Parliament, defeated Robert Jenrick with 53,806 votes to his 41,388 in a vote announced on Saturday. Her victory makes her the first Black woman to lead a major political party in the United Kingdom.
While some Nigerians celebrated the achievement as a significant milestone, others voiced skepticism, saying her leadership may not benefit the Black community or Nigerians living abroad.
Praise from Nigerian Figures
Prominent Nigerian figures expressed their support for Badenoch’s victory. Media entrepreneur Mo Abudu took to Instagram to praise Badenoch’s accomplishment as a story of resilience and a reminder of what women and young girls can achieve.
“Kemi’s journey is a reminder to every woman and young girl that no dream is out of reach. Here’s to more stories of resilience, leadership, and making history,” Abudu wrote.
Former presidential aide Reno Omokri also celebrated Badenoch’s win, highlighting its significance for Nigerians and the African diaspora.
“Mrs. Badenoch is the first person of African origin to occupy this position, and the fact that she has Nigerian roots makes this a double celebration. This is the highest height a person of Nigerian heritage has ever achieved in the Western hemisphere,” Omokri said. He encouraged Nigerians worldwide to rally around her and support her.
Maxwell Adeyemi, a Nigerian living in Bradford, UK, also urged his fellow Nigerians to support Badenoch, noting that her achievement is a moment of pride for the Nigerian community in the UK.
Criticism Over Comments on Nigeria
However, Badenoch’s success has stirred controversy due to her previous statements about Nigeria, which some Nigerians felt were disparaging. Many people expressed their disapproval on social media platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). User @GeneratXyz wrote, “Because of what she recently said about Nigeria, I don’t feel too excited to congratulate Kemi Badenoch. She could have done her campaign without degrading where she’s actually from. The UK remains not her home but her sojourn. Nigeria will forever be her root.”
Some Nigerian community members in the UK also voiced disappointment, questioning whether Badenoch’s leadership will genuinely uplift Nigerians or if her remarks reflect a disconnect from her heritage. On a popular Nigerians in the UK platform, user @ill_nojie commented, “Congratulations? The dumbest Black woman in the Conservative Party? Do you even know Kemi?”
Background and Controversial Statements
Born in the UK to Nigerian parents, Badenoch spent her early years in Nigeria before returning to the UK. Despite her Nigerian roots, her comments about Nigeria have sparked criticism over the years. In an interview during her campaign, she spoke about leaving Nigeria for the UK and her desire to ensure that the UK doesn’t become like the country she left behind.
“This is my country… I don’t want it to become like the place I ran away from. I want it to get better and better, not just for me, but for the next generation,” Badenoch said.
In a 2020 interview with the BBC, she described growing up in Nigeria, noting, “I grew up somewhere where the lights didn’t come on, where we ran out of fuel frequently despite being an oil-producing country.” She also defended British colonialism during a debate on the Black Lives Matter movement, stating, “The fact that colonialism happened does not mean that our modern history is tainted by it.”
These statements have drawn criticism from some Nigerians who feel her comments are dismissive of Nigeria’s struggles. Former Nigerian aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode previously called her out for what he described as “demeaning references” to her home country.
Supporters Defend Badenoch’s Comments
However, supporters argue that Badenoch’s statements reflect the reality many Nigerians face. Maxwell Adeyemi defended her remarks, saying, “She only told the truth. Millions of lives of people, who are precious like that of Kemi Badenoch, have been wasted by the people entrusted with power. She was lucky to have been born here in the UK. But how many Nigerians have such an opportunity? We shouldn’t blame Kemi for telling the truth.”
Badenoch’s rise to the leadership of the Conservative Party marks a significant milestone, but her journey is stirring debate within Nigeria and the Nigerian diaspora. While some celebrate her achievement as a symbol of breaking barriers, others question whether her views on Nigeria align with the values and aspirations of Nigerians at home and abroad.