Nigeria dares Kemi Badenoch to change her name

Nigeria dares Kemi Badenoch to change her name, if she is not comfortable being a Nigerian. Badenoch is the Nigerian-born leader of the UK’s Conservative Party. He comments and reactions towards Nigeria have been of great concern to Tinubu-led government officials.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima recently criticized Badenoch for her negative comments about Nigeria. Shettima’s response came after Badenoch, in a series of statements, disparaged the country she once called home.

Shettima, at the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue in Abuja, acknowledged Badenoch’s right to express her views. But he strongly rebuked her for undermining Nigeria.

Badenoch, born to Nigerian Yoruba parents, spent her early years in Nigeria before relocating to the UK.  Badenoch witnessed firsthand the struggles the country faced, including corruption, insecurity, and political dysfunction.

She recounted these experiences in a campaign speech, stating. “I grew up in Nigeria and saw firsthand what happens when politicians are in it for themselves.” These remarks, however, have not been well-received in Nigeria, where many feel her criticisms are overly harsh and unjust.

Nigeria’s criticism of Badenoch is call for pride and unity

Badenoch’s comments about Nigeria have drawn ire from several quarters. Shettima pointed out that  she  should not discredit the country of her origin. He remarked, “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.”

Analysts say Shettima’s challenge to Badenoch to “remove the Kemi from her name” is a call for pride in Nigeria’s heritage. He emind the audience that Nigeria is a powerhouse of Black achievement. One in every four Black people globally being Nigerian, Shettima said. He emphasized that by 2050, Nigeria would surpass the United States to become the third most populous nation in the world.

Some analysts believe that Shettima’s comments were a necessary defense of Nigeria’s reputation. They argue that as a global leader, Nigeria should not shy away from asserting its importance and fighting back against stereotypes. “Badenoch’s words were out of line and harmful. Shettima’s call for her to reconsider her stance is both justifiable and important,” said one analyst.

Others, however, caution that while Shettima’s response was bold, it could have been more diplomatic. Some suggest that instead of challenging Badenoch to change her name, it would have been better for Shettima to focus on addressing Nigeria’s internal issues. They argued that those unresolved issues contributed to Badenoch’s negative perceptions.

Complex relationship between Nigeria and Kemi Badenoch

In one of her more controversial statements, Kemi reflected on growing up in Nigeria.  “I lived in constant fear… wondering if my home would be next” during a time when insecurity was rampant.

However, many Nigerians feel her comments ignore the progress the country has made in recent years. She also ignored the resilience of its people. To some, her comments suggest that she is distancing herself from her roots. This has contributed to her strained relationship with her home country.

While campaigning for the Conservative Party leadership, Badenoch said, “This is my country. I don’t want it to become like the place I ran away from.” Observers say her comments signalled her desire to distance herself from her birthplace. She now embraces the opportunities she found in the UK.