“I Have Nothing in Common with Boko Haram Northern Nigeria” – UK Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch Responds to VP Shettima

Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, has stirred controversy with remarks about her connection to Nigeria. In an interview with The Spectator, Badenoch stated that she identifies more with her Yoruba heritage than with Nigeria as a whole, distancing herself particularly from northern Nigeria, which she referred to as “a haven for Islamism and Boko Haram.”

“I find it interesting that everybody defines me as being Nigerian. I identify less with the country than with the specific ethnicity (Yoruba),” Badenoch remarked. She further added, “I have nothing in common with the people from the north of the country, the Boko Haram where Islamism is.”

Her comments have sparked significant backlash, including criticism from Nigeria’s Vice-President, Kashim Shettima. Speaking during the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue at the State House in Abuja, Shettima accused Badenoch of disparaging Nigeria. “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,” he said.

Shettima emphasized Nigeria’s global significance, noting its population growth and prominence. “One out of every three, four black men is a Nigerian, and by 2050, Nigeria will support the United States and will be the third most populous nation on earth,” he stated.

Despite the criticism, Badenoch has defended her stance, reiterating her allegiance to her Yoruba roots. Reflecting on her identity, she said, “Somebody once told me when I was very young that my surname was a name for people who were warriors. They protected the crown, and that’s what I see myself as doing. I am here to protect and I will die protecting this country because I know what’s out there.”