During the week, Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shetima, made waves across the media when he gave the leader of the United Kingdom Conservative party, Kemi Badenoch, an uppercut.
Recall that before Badenoch got to the position as the leader of the UK Conservative Party, she had described Nigeria as socialist nation brimming with thieving politicians and insecurity. She also talked about “growing up in a place where fear was everywhere. You cannot understand it unless you’ve lived there. Triple checking that all the doors and windows are locked, waking up in the night at every sound listening as you hear your neighbour scream as they are being burgled and beaten and wondering if your home will be next.”
So, while responding to Badenoch’s thoughts about the country during an event, Shetima criticised her for always ‘denigrating’ Nigeria, suggesting that she could remove the ‘Kemi’ from her name if she wanted.
Well, Badenoch has responded to Shettima after he criticized her for ‘denigrating’ Nigeria. Her Spokesperson said Kemi stood by her statement and was not interested in laundering the image of Nigeria.
The gbas gbos has pulled thousands of reactions from Nigerians who expressed divided opinions on the matter. When the issue came up on Arise TV’s programme on Thursday, Ojy Okpe questioned why “there is an issue when people in power be it Kemi or Davido come out to denigrate Nigeria, then it becomes a huge conversation.”
A netizen, Oluwaseun Ajede’s comment was first read out before the floor opened for discussion. He wrote, “The truth often hits the wrong side here. Speaking truth is always labelled as denigrating the country. It’s impossible to repackage what inherently cannot be packaged. Shettima and friends should fix up”
Then, the crew dug up three promises made by Badenoch a few years back about how she intended to help Nigeria out of her misery. So, I ask, what changed? Is Nigeria worse off now that warranted opinion change? Did Badenoch say the truth about Nigeria’s sad situation or was she just playing politics? Is she supposed to just maintain the flow and not openly criticize her land of birth for patriotism sake? Let’s keep reading.
While explaining that there was crime all over the world including on the streets of UK, Rufai Oseni maintained that the sad situation that Badenoch tried painting was not exclusive to Nigeria. According to him, “Kemi is simply playing politics and I’m shocked that people can’t see through all of this. Kemi is just a bloody hypocrite. Is Britain not a socialist nation? Do people go out and work in Britain, don’t they live on welfare? So, what’s the problem? She is just a social climber and has been able to use this narrative. Why not also blame the rightwing nationalists who are causing chaos in England? Do you see how the rightwing nationalists assault people, racially abuse people and cause riots?”
Dr Reuben Abati takes it from another angle. “There’s something called group psycho analysis- meaning all of us should take one position and then the other who is different in terms of opinion is demonized. So, people will always have different opinions. We thank God that there are many others who are abroad and are still proud of their country.”
Dr Abati stated that the main focus now should be on how “We take this as a challenge to make our country better such that our children who relocate abroad who choose another aspect of their nationality will not look back and talk down on their country. This is a great country as the vice president pointed out but we need to be in a situation where we will be very proud of this country.” That’s a good one from Dr Abati.
By implication, so many netizens who commented on the programme, fully supported Dr Abati’s opinion. Take a look at a few of their comments.
@chukwuemekaehumadu3138 wrote, “Kemi is simply encouraging us to repair Nigeria. Simple!”
@tyy5557 commented, “Kemi Badenoch has the right to her own opinion. Shettima and his corrupt group should fix the problems in Nigeria.”
@augusttineeze-t8p reacted, “whoever said the Nigeria system is okay, let his family be like the Nigeria system.”
@chuksteve-live also on X wrote, “Kemi has spoken the mind of the ordinary Nigerian citizens.”
@Amadinkennedy responded, “Kemi is not talking down on Nigeria as a country. She is only putting Nigeria politicians on a high jump to do the needful.”
@angelicakweku5293 wrote, “The beautiful, brilliant Kemi should not give these ignorant, greedy, selfish politicians relevance.”
@amaka8086 simply wrote, “Kemi Badenoch was not lying.”
@justinalaeto5482 wrote, “Tell Shettima to stop his brothers from terrorising Nigerian people and leave Kemi alone.”
In a very long response, @chinoouzodinma wrote, “Kemi Badenoch is actually within her rights to describe Nigeria for what it is. Pride for our country does not mean blindness to a point where we cannot criticize the madness in the country. On the contrary, having a passion and true pride for our country should in fact, be a driving force to call out things as they are. A country rich in oil yet, poor to the letter…”
