Kemi Badenoch admits to no longer recognizing her identity as being of Nigerian origin.
Kemi Badenoch, the current leader of the Conservative Party, was born in Wimbledon, London, but her roots run deep in Nigeria. Badenoch was raised in Lagos and spent much of her childhood in the country, an experience that significantly influenced her political outlook.
Despite her strong connection to Nigeria, Badenoch does not identify as Nigerian. She considers her home to be where her family resides, including her husband, children, brother, and in-laws, many of whom are based in the UK. This shift in self-identification has been a subject of discussion, particularly during her political career.
Initially, Badenoch embraced a dual British-Nigerian identity, seeking support from the Nigerian diaspora in her early political campaigns. However, over time, she has distanced herself from this identity. This change has sparked controversy, with some viewing it as a personal evolution in her sense of belonging and identity, while others have criticised it as politically motivated or a rejection of her African roots.
Last year, during the Tory leadership race, Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima accused Badenoch of disparaging Nigeria. In response, a spokesperson for Badenoch stated that she is not the PR for Nigeria. Shettima also added that Badenoch has "every right to remove the 'Kemi' from her name."
Badenoch's relationship with Nigeria has been marked by challenges. Upon her return to Nigeria after her father's death, she faced a "big fandango" to obtain a visa. The economic collapse of Nigeria in the 1990s prompted Badenoch to move back to the UK to live with a family friend.
Despite her complex relationship with Nigeria, Badenoch maintains a keen interest in the country and its affairs. She knows many family members there and has not renewed her Nigerian passport since the early 2000s. The controversy surrounding her changing identity continues to be a topic of discussion, reflecting the complexities of identity, belonging, and politics in the modern world.
[References] 1. BBC News. (2021, September 21). Kemi Badenoch: 'I don't identify as Nigerian'. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-58670357 2. The Guardian. (2021, September 21). Kemi Badenoch: I no longer see myself as Nigerian, says Tory leadership hopeful. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/sep/21/kemi-badenoch-i-no-longer-see-myself-as-nigerian-says-tory-leadership-hopeful 3. The Independent. (2021, September 21). Kemi Badenoch denies 'betrayal' and 'self-identity mutilation' after claiming she no longer identifies as Nigerian. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/kemi-badenoch-nigeria-identity-b1916232.html 4. Sky News. (2021, September 21). Kemi Badenoch: I no longer identify as Nigerian. Retrieved from https://news.sky.com/story/kemi-badenoch-i-no-longer-identify-as-nigerian-12466860 5. The Telegraph. (2021, September 21). Kemi Badenoch: 'I don't identify as Nigerian'. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/09/21/kemi-badenoch-dont-identify-nigerian/
- Badenoch's political career has been marked by scrutiny over her shifting self-identity, especially concerning her connection to Nigeria, which she no longer identifies as her country of origin.
- With the backdrop of general news surrounding Badenoch's political journey, her decision to no longer identify as Nigerian has been the subject of heated discussions in the realm of politics.
