Kemi Badenoch, leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, has expressed concerns about the potential consequences of poor governance in Britain, likening them to the challenges faced by Nigeria.
Badenoch made the remarks during her first speech of the year at an event hosted by Onward, a British think tank focused on economic and social issues.
Addressing the audience, the Nigeria-born UK politician stressed the importance of building trust and reforming systems to safeguard Britain’s future.
“And why does this matter so much to me? It’s because I know what it is like to have something and then to lose it,” Badenoch said. “I don’t want Britain to lose what it has.”
Sharing her personal experiences, Badenoch reflected on her upbringing in Nigeria and the economic hardships her family endured.
“I grew up in a poor country and watched my relatively wealthy family become poorer and poorer, despite working harder and harder as their money disappeared with inflation. I came back to the UK aged 16 with my father’s last £100 in the hope of a better life. So I have lived with the consequences of terrible governments that destroy lives, and I never, ever want it to happen here,” she stated.
Badenoch’s remarks are the latest in a series of criticisms directed at Nigeria, her country of origin, which have drawn backlash from Nigerian leaders, including Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
Shettima previously rebuked Badenoch for what he described as her constant denigration of Nigeria. Before her election as leader of the Conservative Party, Badenoch had described Nigeria as a socialist nation plagued by corruption and insecurity. She also recounted personal experiences of hardship, alleging that Nigerian police once robbed her and stole her brother’s shoes.
In earlier comments, Badenoch hinted at the struggles her family faced during her time in Nigeria, including walking miles to fetch water despite having wealthy parents.
Her continued criticism of Nigeria has sparked mixed reactions, with some Nigerians questioning her views while others see them as a reflection of her personal experiences.