EX-MINISTER BOLAJI AKINYEMI CRITICIZES KEMI BADENOCH
Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, has openly criticized Kemi Badenoch, leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, for her repeated negative remarks about Nigeria.
Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, Akinyemi expressed disappointment over Badenoch’s portrayal of her upbringing in Nigeria, which he described as an exaggerated narrative designed to advance her political career.
“How does the daughter of a UNILAG professor and a medical doctor—someone who attended the International School at UNILAG—make it sound like she was selling groundnuts and water in Lagos to survive? She’s doing this to boost her political career, but she will soon learn that you don’t throw your people and your culture under the bus for personal gain,” Akinyemi stated.
He further advised Badenoch to focus on strengthening the ideological profile of the Conservative Party instead of attacking Nigeria, warning that her remarks were a betrayal of her heritage.
“Right now, there’s a political party in the UK that is even further to the right of the Conservatives. She should be focusing on that and leave Nigeria alone,” he added.
The comments come after Badenoch faced widespread criticism in Nigeria for describing the country as corrupt, insecure, and socialist, while also disparaging the police and highlighting her alleged experiences of hardship in Lagos.
Badenoch recently stirred more controversy by claiming Nigeria “destroys lives” and using her personal experiences to caution against similar governance in the UK.
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