By: Bayero Ade
UK Minister for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch, has stirred controversy following remarks about her Nigerian heritage, particularly her views on Northern Nigeria.
In a recent interview with The Spectator, Badenoch, who is of Yoruba descent, stated, “I have nothing in common with the people from the north of the country, the Boko Haram where Islamism is.” Her statement has drawn widespread criticism, reigniting debates about her identity and relationship with Nigeria.
Badenoch further distanced herself from her Nigerian roots, saying, “Being Yoruba is my true identity, and I refuse to be lumped with northern people of Nigeria, who ‘were our ethnic enemies,’ all in the name of being called a Nigerian.”
Her remarks have been met with backlash from prominent Nigerian officials, including Vice President Kashim Shettima. Shettima criticized Badenoch for using divisive rhetoric and suggested that she drop her Nigerian surname if she no longer identifies with the country.
Badenoch, who has faced scrutiny for her hardline stance on immigration and corruption in Nigeria, asserted her loyalty to the United Kingdom, where she serves in a senior government role. She stated, “I find it interesting that everybody defines me as being Nigerian. I identify less with the country than with the specific ethnicity (Yoruba).”
The vice president’s criticism has sparked reactions across Nigeria, with some calling for introspection. Phrank Shaibu, spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, urged Nigerians to prioritize governance and development rather than focusing on Badenoch’s remarks.
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