Former Nigerian senator and civil rights activist, Shehu Sani, has taken a swipe at UK Conservative Party leader and British lawmaker of Nigerian descent, Kemi Badenoch, urging her to focus on her political obligations in her adopted country and stop disparaging Nigeria.
Sani, in a strongly-worded post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, criticized Badenoch over what he described as repeated attempts to disassociate from Nigeria and her tendency to “look down” on her country of origin. The former lawmaker said Badenoch should face the reality of being a political figure in the United Kingdom and stop using Nigeria as a scapegoat in her rhetoric.
“No matter how much and how long an adopted child loves their new home and hates their ancestral home, there will come a day when the adopted home will remind them that they don’t belong,” Sani stated.
He further added:
“If African Americans are still being reminded of their African roots, a Nigerian singing colonial praises in the UK Parliament will not erase where they come from.”
The comments come amid growing backlash over some of Badenoch’s public statements perceived as dismissive or critical of Nigeria. In recent media engagements, Badenoch reportedly made comments suggesting a sharp disconnect from her Nigerian roots, even allegedly labeling certain regions of the country as breeding grounds for terrorism—comments that have sparked outrage back home.
The tension reached a new height after Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, publicly rebuked Badenoch, accusing her of denigrating Nigeria and suggesting she “remove the ‘Kemi’ from her name” if she no longer wished to be associated with the country.
Despite the criticism, Badenoch’s team has defended her stance, insisting that she is not Nigeria’s global ambassador and has every right to speak frankly about issues, including those concerning developing nations.
Kemi Badenoch, who is of Nigerian-Yoruba descent, currently serves as a Member of Parliament and a prominent figure in the UK Conservative Party. She has often made headlines for her controversial views on race, identity, and post-colonial relations. Her recent comments have reignited debates about diaspora identity, loyalty, and how individuals of African descent navigate political spaces abroad.
Sani’s remarks reflect a growing sentiment among Nigerians who believe that public figures of Nigerian origin abroad should avoid painting the country in a negative light, especially on international platforms.
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