Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, recently sparked controversy by stating that she identifies more with her Yoruba ethnicity than with Nigeria as a whole. In an interview with The Spectator, she said that she has “nothing in common” with people from northern Nigeria, criticizing the region for its association with Islamism and Boko Haram. She emphasized her Yoruba identity, rejecting being grouped with Nigerians from the north.
Badenoch’s remarks led to a response from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who criticized her views on Nigeria, calling for her to abandon her Nigerian identity. In contrast, Phrank Shaibu, a spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 PDP presidential candidate, urged critics of Badenoch to reflect on their own positions, implying that being Yoruba does not necessarily equate to being Nigerian. He also suggested that Shettima should focus on more productive activities instead of attacking Badenoch.
