Why UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch snubbed heritage… ‘We don’t force people to accept being Nigerian’ – Dabiri-Erewa reacts
Interestingly, Badenoch initially sought to identify with Nigerians in the UK to advance her political ambitions
Kemi Badenoch has been elected as the leader of the British Conservative Party, marking a significant milestone as she is the first Black leader and the first Black female leader of any British political party, a report by The Guardian UK stated.
Nonetheless, Badenoch seems to distance herself from other Black people, including Nigerian communities. It is suggested that she focuses more on appealing to the white constituents in her area. Her political brand is described as “anti-wokeness,” and she takes a strong stance against multiculturalism and diversity, asserting that “not all cultures are valid” in the context of immigration to the UK. She has also dismissed the notion that British wealth was built on colonialism.
In response to her position as a Black leader of a British political party, Badenoch stated, “We live in a multiracial country, and that is great, but we have to work very hard to ensure that it doesn’t become something divisive, where people see themselves as part of groups, rather than all being British.”
Despite her attempts to distance herself, many Nigerians claim her as a success story, celebrating her achievements in the UK.
Badenoch’s election is viewed as a source of pride, not just for Nigeria, but for Africa and the Black community at large, as noted by Eromo, who was quoted by The Guardian UK.
Eromo remarked, “Nigerians are very patriotic. They love everything about Nigeria, except for the leaders. Outside Nigeria, we are all Nigerians.” Eromo pointed out that Badenoch’s right-wing politics resonate with the values of both Nigeria and the Yoruba ethnic group of her heritage, which he describes as “very conservative people,” emphasizing respect, traditional family values, and strong communal ties.
Interestingly, Badenoch initially sought to identify with Nigerians in the UK to advance her political ambitions.
However, she often expresses disdain for Nigeria, characterizing it as a “fever dream.” Unlike other Black British MPs who celebrate their heritage, Badenoch displays less interest in doing so.
When she began her political career in 2010, she appealed to Nigerian voters for their support, claiming to be “a Nigerian trying to improve our national image.”
Despite living in Nigeria until she was 16, Eromo notes that her Nigerian identity rarely features in her public persona. She seldom shares positive memories of her upbringing, instead using Nigeria as a reference point for caution in her political views.
She has been quoted as saying she does not want the UK to “become like the place I ran away from.” While she acknowledged her “very rough” upbringing in Nigeria, Eromo points out that she comes from a “definitely middle class or lower upper-class” background, having attended the prestigious International School of Lagos and being the daughter of a doctor and a respected lecturer.
Notably, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is her maternal first cousin once removed. Badenoch has remarked that her experience flipping burgers at McDonald’s in the UK made her feel working-class.
Nigeria Reacts
In response to Badenoch’s snub of her heritage, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), stated that Nigeria will not compel her to embrace her Nigerian heritage.
Dabiri-Erewa revealed that her office has reached out to Badenoch several times without receiving a response. This statement was made during the Morning Brief program on Channels Television.
When asked if the Nigerian government has identified Badenosh, who was born to Nigerian parents and spent most of her childhood in Lagos, Dabiri-Erewa said, “It depends on if she identifies the Nigerianess in her. We have reached out to her once or twice without any response, so we don’t force people to accept to be Nigerian.
“If you appreciate the Nigerianess in you and you want to work with us, we are open to everybody, but we cannot force you to appreciate the Nigerianess in you. You remember the Miss Universe Nigeria in South Africa.
“Until she got into a little problem with South Africa she identified with Nigeria, and she identified with Nigeria, came to Nigeria and we hosted her. As long as that blood is in you, you are a Nigerian.
“So, it depends on Kemi to decide whether appreciates the Nigerianess in her, whether she wants to work with Nigeria, but we cannot force anybody.”
Recall that Badenoch was elected as the new leader of the Conservative Party on Saturday, succeeding Rishi Sunak, who stepped down following the party’s poor performance in the July general election.
Badenoch secured 57 percent of the votes from party members, triumphing over Robert Jenrick, a former immigration minister. More
Additional reports from The Guardian International
