On Kemi Badenoch Uncomplimentary Remarks, by Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

Kemi Badenoch, Nigerian born British citizen and leader of conservative party has stirred the hornet nest for dissociating herself from the country because of the North. She also made controversial and denigrating statement against Nigeria. Kemi in an interview granted to media has accused Nigeria police officers for stealing her brother’s wrist watch and shoes. She further explained her harrowed experience growing up in the country and above all disparaging northern Nigeria as a haven of Boko Harm and extremists. The viral statement credited to her has since attracted mixed reactions in the country. Some Nigerians believed that Kemi Badenoch has stated the obvious facts about Nigerian leadership failure and by extension the Nigeria police whose conduct and unethical practices have tainted their reputation.

However, Kemi Badenoch views are considered unbecoming of her status or a deliberate attempts to belittle the country’s reputation and polarise the country along ethnic sentiments. Did Femi know the north she derides with fun has cultural and linguistic affinity with the Yoruba West ? Professor Farooq Kperogi, professor of journalism and emerging media, from Kennesaw State University, US in his insightful and educating article entitled ” Kemi Badenoch ‘s Yoruba identify meet inconvenient truth” has put the record straight. Besides, it seems Kemi has forgotten or did not read the Nigerian history very well. For instance, the British colonial masters adopted indirect rule in the north. Indirect rule is a system of administration in which traditional rulers were used by Lord Lugard to collect taxes for administrative purposes. The portion of such taxes collected from the people of northern Nigerian were outrightly channeled to develop British the much loved Femi ‘s second home. While Kemi descended heavily on Nigerian police officers for unethical behaviour, she remained mute on the racists British police officers whose under their watch negro suffer abuse and humiliation.

With uncouth and uncomplimentary statement against her ancestry home, Kemi Badenoch has proven beyond reasonable doubt that, she will not toe the path of other Nigerians, who despite taking up international jobs come to serve their country. The likes of Ngozi Okonjo Owenle, Amina Mohammed, Adesina and pate to mention but a few have made our country proud. After their exceptional performance and track record, these people have accepted an appointment to serve their fatherland with zeal and passion. One had expected Kemi Badenoch to take a clue from Rishi Sunak, former British prime minister, with Indian root. Though, India like Nigeria, grapples with numerous challenges, there has never been a time the former prime minister disown his own root let alone criticise it.

Kemi Badenoch will like to become a future PM. With her crass displayed of inferior complex and diatribe, one can imagine the type of prime minister she will be. It is high time Kemi Badenoch discarded her primitive orientation and align with her country of origin. As a high rated politician, Kemi advice on Nigerian current economy turbulence will be of great help.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna state. 08169056963.