Despite criticisms from Vice President Kashim Shettima accusing her of denigrating Nigeria, Leader of the United Kingdom (UK) Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, says there is no regrets over her remarks about the country.
Born in the UK but largely raised in Nigeria, Badenoch has repeatedly described her upbringing as being overshadowed by fear and insecurity in a country plagued by corruption.
Typically criticising the country’s for its socio-economic challenges, the Conservative Party Leader said; “I grew up in Nigeria, and I saw firsthand what happens when politicians are in it for themselves, when they use public money as their private piggy banks, when they pollute the whole political atmosphere with their failure to serve others.
“I saw what socialism is for millions. I saw poverty and broken dreams. I came to Britain to make my way in a country where hard work and honest endeavour can take you anywhere.”
However, Vice President Kashim Shettima had on Monday accused Badenoch of denigrating Nigeria with her remarks.
Comparing her to former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a “brilliant young man” from India, who has never spoken negatively about his ancestral country, Shettima challenged Badenoch to change her first name if she no longer wished to identify with her homeland.
But while reacting to Vice President Shettima’s comments, Badenoch’s spokesperson said UK opposition Leader stands by her statements and does not have any interest in “doing PR for Nigeria.”
The Spokesperson said in the statement; “She is the leader of the opposition, and she is very proud of her leadership of the opposition in this country.
“She tells the truth. She tells it like it is.She’s not going to couch her words, and she stands by what she says.”