Kemi Badenoch, leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, has voiced concerns about the potential consequences of ineffective governance in the United Kingdom, drawing a comparison to Nigeria’s challenges.
In her first speech of the year on Thursday, delivered at an event hosted by the British think tank Onward, Badenoch emphasized the importance of trust and positioning the Conservative Party as the solution to the nation’s problems.
She warned that the UK’s system could fail if not properly managed, citing Nigeria’s governance issues as a cautionary example.
Badenoch shared a personal reflection on her experiences, saying, “And why does this matter so much to me? It’s because I know what it is like to have something and then to lose it. I don’t want Britain to lose what it has.”
She described her upbringing in a country where her family, despite working hard, became poorer due to inflation.
“I grew up in a poor country and watched my relatively wealthy family become poorer and poorer, despite working harder and harder as their money disappeared with inflation,” she added.
Badenoch recalled returning to the UK at 16 with just her father’s last £100, hoping for a better life. “So I have lived with the consequences of terrible governments that destroy lives, and I never, ever want it to happen here,” she said.
Her comments have sparked renewed criticism in Nigeria, her country of origin, where she has previously faced backlash for controversial remarks.
Recently, Nigeria’s Vice-President Kashim Shettima criticized Badenoch, accusing her of “constantly denigrating” the country.
Before becoming Conservative Party leader, Badenoch had referred to Nigeria as a socialist nation beset by corruption and insecurity.
She also recounted personal hardships, including an incident where Nigerian police allegedly robbed her and stole her brother’s shoes. Additionally, she shared memories of walking long distances to fetch water, despite her relatively well-off background.
