Kemi Badenoch’s victory as the new leader of the Conservative Party has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians.
The British-Nigerian politician made history by becoming the first black woman to lead a major political party in the United Kingdom, securing 53,806 votes against Robert Jenrick’s 41,388.
Media entrepreneur Mo Abudu hailed Badenoch’s achievement, saying, “Kemi’s journey is a reminder to every woman and young girl that no dream is out of reach. Here’s to more stories of resilience, leadership, and making history” ¹. Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide, also congratulated Badenoch, emphasizing her Nigerian roots as a “double celebration” and the highest achievement by a Nigerian in the Western hemisphere.
However, not everyone is celebrating. Some Nigerians have expressed disappointment and frustration over Badenoch’s past comments about Nigeria. On social media, @GeneratXyz wrote, “I don’t feel too excited to congratulate Kemi Badenoch. She could have done her campaign without degrading where she’s actually from” ¹. Others have criticized her defense of British colonialism and comments about Nigeria’s infrastructure.
Despite the controversy, Maxwell Adeyemi, a Nigerian living in Bradford, UK, has called for support for Badenoch. “She only told the truth,” Adeyemi said, referencing Badenoch’s comments about Nigeria’s challenges. “Millions of lives of people… have been wasted by the people entrusted with power”.
Born in the UK to Nigerian parents, Badenoch was raised in Nigeria before returning to the UK. Her political career has been marked by controversy, including her defense of British colonialism and criticism of identity politics. As the new leader of the Conservative Party, Badenoch’s views and policies will be closely watched by Nigerians and the international community.
