Lately, there has been much hoopla in the media about the new Tory Party leader in the United Kingdom, Mrs. Kemi Badenoch. From the media accounts I have read, this remarkable lady has pulled herself up by her bootstraps, rising from ground zero through diligent academic pursuits, building a successful professional career, and ultimately venturing into politics, where she has risen to astronomical heights in British politics.
In my assessment, her accomplishments are phenomenal, and she embodies the classic example of hard work yielding great rewards.
Unfortunately, commentaries about her coming from her ancestral country, Nigeria, have been largely negative. Her “offense” appears to be that she has, on one or two occasions, painted Nigeria in an unfavorable light. Among those who have lambasted her for not presenting Nigeria positively are my good friends, former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, and Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission. Most recently, Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has joined the fray by publicly criticizing Mrs. Badenoch, a potential Prime Minister of the UK.
Stunningly, Vice President Shettima even suggested that Badenoch should drop her first name, Kemi, if she no longer wanted to be associated with Nigeria. His remarks received a sharp response from the Tory leader, who asserted that she is not obliged to launder Nigeria’s image.
The question is: What value does this heated exchange in the media between Nigeria’s Vice President and a potential UK Prime Minister bring to either country?
In my view, the incendiary comments will yield nothing positive for both sides.
To put things into context, it is worth recalling that Mrs. Badenoch is not the first UK leader to portray Nigeria negatively. Former British Prime Minister David Cameron infamously referred to then-President Muhammadu Buhari as the leader of a “fantastically corrupt country” in front of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Notably, President Buhari did not flinch, let alone express outrage.
Badenoch
But unsurprisingly, Cameron’s remark sparked debate on social media, with opinions divided. Some Nigerian youths even blamed Buhari for the odious statement, arguing that his rhetoric—such as always accusing Nigerians of corruption and branding her youths as lazy—had contributed to the negative perception of Nigeria and Nigerians globally.
Going back further, when the All Progressives Congress (APC) was in opposition, its then-spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and other high-ranking party leaders often described Nigeria in derogatory terms to discredit the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in their pursuit of political advantage. At that time, it seemed not to occur to them that such rhetoric would empower foreigners to disparage the country. In fact, it was such odious comments that became the ammunition that Cameron exploited during Buhari’s visit to Buckingham Palace.
Given this history, it is puzzling why Chief Fani-Kayode, Hon. Dabiri-Erewa, and, especially, Vice President Shettima, are now trying to hinder Badenoch’s progress in the UK based on her negative portrayal of Nigeria. These seasoned politicians surely understand that at her current stage in her political career, Badenoch—like many politicians before her—must make calculated remarks to align with her constituency and political objectives. Nigerian politicians cannot deny playing to the gallery of public opinion while climbing the political ladder.
Arising from the above, what justification exists for the uproar about Badenoch’s remarks? What has she said that is not already in the public domain? Furthermore, the issues she referenced are arguably no longer as prominent in Nigeria today as back in the days when she was in Nigeria.
So, instead of seeing Badenoch as an adversary, Nigerians should celebrate her achievements and allow her to chart her course. In fact, we should make efforts to prove to her and indeed the world that things are no longer what Mrs. Badenoch thinks of Nigeria.
That is why I have titled this piece: ‘Let Kemi Badenoch Be All She Can Be’.
It is worth recalling that in my column of November 26, titled, ‘Kemi Badenoch’s Remarkable Ascent In UK Politics: A Milestone For The Black Community’, I explored multiple factors that could have influenced Badenoch’s apparent disdain for Nigeria. Her views, as she has shared during her political engagements, seem rooted in her traumatizing personal experiences growing up in Nigeria.
From her accounts, it is evident that those incidents deeply affected her, prompting her to leave Nigeria for the UK at the age of 16. Who knows? She may still be grappling with the trauma of those early experiences of insecurity and other challenges she endured.
Advertisement
Are we not aware, through historical accounts, that back in the day, when the Queen of England uttered the phrase “off with their head,” the victim was executed, often without due process, as the concept of the rule of law was absent at the time? Would UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, or even King Charles III be offended if a Nigerian, an American, or someone of another nationality expressed disapproval of such historical practices? Certainly not, as those narratives belong to the past and have long been consigned to the dustbin of history.
Similarly, Mrs. Badenoch’s unpleasant experiences in Nigeria before she left at the age of 16— now nearly three decades ago, as she is 44—are also in the past. The realities she described no longer define Nigeria, and we, as a nation, owe it to ourselves and the world to move forward.
Of course, as Badenoch rightly stated, she cannot engage in image laundering for Nigeria, and to be frank, we truly need to take responsibility for that ourselves. Ironically, it is the persistent hammering of her negative remarks that continues to keep the issue alive in the public domain, prompting this intervention.
To refresh our memories, I am republishing not just an excerpt from the earlier referenced article but the entire piece to allow readers to revisit my position and gain a holistic view of the matter. I ask for the understanding of readers as I do so.
Below is the full article:
As Great Britain, once a colonial power ruling over 56 nations now part of the Commonwealth, transitions into a more inclusive society, a symbolic form of ‘reverse colonization’ seems to be unfolding. This phenomenon, exemplified by individuals from formerly colonized nations rising to leadership roles in the UK, highlights the open-mindedness of Britons. Their inclusive approach has afforded immigrants, including those born in the UK, equal opportunities alongside the native population.
The adventurous spirit of the British has also contributed to London’s evolution into a cosmopolitan hub. Home to people from various former colonies, London has become a melting pot of cultures and a global financial center rivaling cities like New York, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.
Historically, Britain’s dominance as a seafaring nation—beginning after the country’s founding in 1707—enabled it to build an empire that spanned nearly a quarter of the globe. Through its control of vast territories in Africa, India, Australia, Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean, the British Empire left an indelible mark on the world. While the UK is no longer the imperial force it once was, it remains a vital player on the global stage.
Should Kemi Badenoch—of Nigerian heritage and now the leader of the Tory Party currently in opposition—one day become the UK’s Prime Minister, it would be a monumental achievement, not just for Nigerians but for Africans and the global Black community. Her rise would echo that of Barack Obama, whose election as the first Black President of the United States inspired millions worldwide.
However, it is unlikely that Nigerians had a direct hand in Badenoch’s political success. Her ascent in the UK’s political sphere did not hinge on support from Nigerian-majority constituencies. Therefore, Nigerians must allow her to continue climbing the political ladder without the negativity that sometimes characterizes reactions to such achievements, as evidenced by the vilification she is currently contending with.
In my view, if Kemi Badenoch reaches the pinnacle of UK politics, she may eventually acknowledge her Nigerian roots. However, even if she doesn’t, her success remains significant. It would serve as an inspiration for Nigerian-born Britons and the broader Black community in the UK, as well as in other parts of Europe and North America, to pursue political leadership—marking a meaningful step forward for the Black race.
In the United States, Barack Obama deliberately distanced himself from Black identity politics during his presidential campaign, recognizing that such an approach could limit his appeal in a nation where Black Americans constitute just 13% of the population. By contrast, Hispanics account for approximately 14%, while Caucasians make up around 67%. The significant role of rural Caucasian voters in Donald Trump’s victories in 2016 and 2024—and their influence in Keir Starmer’s Labour Party overtaking the Conservatives earlier this year—underscores the importance of appealing to broader, more diverse constituencies in multi-ethnic democracies.
For candidates from minority backgrounds aspiring to lead multi-ethnic nations, emphasizing racial or ethnic identity can create barriers. Hence, Badenoch, like others before her, must navigate this challenge.
Historically, Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson campaigned for the U.S. presidency with platforms centered on Black identity, but neither achieved electoral success. Barack Obama learned from these missteps, avoiding identity politics and instead galvanizing young voters through social media, ultimately winning the presidency in 2008. Similarly, Kamala Harris, the current U.S. Vice President distanced herself from minority-focused identity politics. This is why she did not prominently emphasize her Black heritage during her campaign but instead celebrated her marriage to Doug Emhoff, a Caucasian, to broaden her appeal further.
Kemi Badenoch appears to be following a similar path in the UK. Her husband, Mr. Hamish Badenoch, is a successful Caucasian banker—a detail that could work in her favor when elections are called. As leader of the Conservative Party, this positioning may enhance her chances of becoming the UK’s next Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, the debate over reparations for the historical atrocities of slavery perpetrated against Africans continues to stir emotions. At the recent Commonwealth meeting in Apia, Samoa, African representatives renewed their calls for reparations. However, King Charles dismissed the demands, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer brushed them aside. This response frustrated African advocates and reignited debates about the relevance of the Commonwealth, especially if it primarily serves to promote the economic interests of the UK as a former colonial power, with Africa as a market for its goods and services.
