Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative Party leader in the United Kingdom, has firmly stated that she is not a public relations representative for Nigeria.
Her comment came in response to remarks made by Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who recently accused Badenoch of denigrating her country of origin.
Speaking at an event in Abuja on Monday, VP Shettima suggested that Badenoch could “remove the Kemi from her name” if she was not proud of her Nigerian heritage, referencing the Yoruba name commonly used in Nigeria’s South-West region.
“She is entitled to her own opinions. She has every right to remove the Kemi from her name, but that does not change the fact that Nigeria is the greatest black nation on Earth,” Shettima said, earning applause from the audience.
In response, Badenoch stood by her earlier statements, emphasizing that she had no intention of softening her words.
“I tell the truth. I say it as it is. I’m not going to sugarcoat my words. I am proud to lead the opposition in this country. I am not Nigeria’s PR,” she told reporters on December 11.
