Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, has publicly criticized Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, for making disparaging comments about Nigeria.
Akinyemi, speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, expressed disappointment at Badenoch’s portrayal of her upbringing in Nigeria and her repeated negative statements about the country.
“How can the daughter of a professor of UNILAG — her father was a medical doctor — a girl who went to the international school at UNILAG, make it sound like she was selling groundnuts and water in Lagos to advance her political career?” Akinyemi questioned.
He emphasized that Badenoch’s remarks, intended to align with her political narrative, were a betrayal of her heritage.
“She would soon learn that you don’t throw your people and your culture under the bus in order to advance your career,” he added.
Akinyemi’s comments come in the wake of backlash Badenoch has faced in Nigeria for statements about her homeland.
Badenoch had described Nigeria as a corrupt and insecure socialist nation, criticized the police, and highlighted the poverty she allegedly endured growing up in Lagos.
Recently, Badenoch sparked further controversy, claiming that Nigeria “destroys lives” and citing her personal experiences of hardship to warn against similar governance in the UK.
“I came back to the UK aged 16 with my father’s last £100 in the hope of a better life,” Badenoch said, referencing her family’s financial struggles.
However, Akinyemi dismissed this narrative, urging her to focus on restoring the Conservative Party’s reputation rather than attacking her birthplace.
He warned her against using Nigeria as a scapegoat for political gain, stating, “She is making a mistake, but she would soon learn.”
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER NOW
Support MATAZ ARISING’ journalism of integrity and credibility.
Good journalism ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
We ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
TEXT AD: To advertise here – Email ad@matazarising.com
LATEST POSTS
-
Court affirms David Mark-led ADC, dismisses Abejide’s suit
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday affirmed Sen. David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Justice Musa Liman, in a judgment, also dimissed the suit filed by Rep Leke Abejide challenging Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as national chairman and national secretary of the party for lacking in…
-
The Phantom Presidential Council Scandal
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas In today’s Saturday column, I examine how Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi’s phantom presidential council scandal exposes a Nigerian state so porous and so rotten that a counterfeit agency could walk through its corridors wearing the face of power: The Phantom Presidential Council Scandal By Farooq A. Kperogi I first received a WhatsApp forward…
-
PFIPC: NDC demands Gbajabiamila’s removal over alleged fake agency, appointment scandal
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas By Myke Uzendu, Abuja The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for the immediate removal of the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations linking him to an alleged corruption scandal involving a purported non-existent government agency and the alleged sale of public appointments. Recall that…
-
Emefiele: Buhari should have faced trial over $6.2m fraud – Investigator
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas President Bola Tinubu’s Special Investigator on the Central Bank of Nigeria, Jim Obazee, on Friday told the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, that the late former President Muhammadu Buhari ought to have faced trial over the alleged $6.2m fraud involving the apex bank. Obazee, who testified as a prosecution…
