Nigerians have expressed blended emotions after British-Nigerian politician, Kemi Badenoch, emerged as the brand new chief of the Conservative Celebration, defeating Robert Jenrick within the ultimate spherical of voting.
Badenoch, a Member of Parliament representing North West Essex, grew to become the primary black girl to guide a serious political social gathering in the UK after getting 53,806 votes in opposition to Jenrick’s 41,388, in a consequence introduced by the social gathering on Saturday morning.
Whereas some Nigerians hailed the triumph of the 44-year-old, others mentioned her victory meant nothing for the Black neighborhood and Nigerians within the diaspora.
A well-liked media entrepreneur, Mo Abudu, in an Instagram put up on Saturday, described Badenoch’s feat as proof of the potential of breaking limitations and embracing strengths.
“Kemi’s journey is a reminder to each girl and younger woman that no dream is out of attain. Right here’s to extra tales of resilience, management, and making historical past,” Abudu mentioned.
A former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, additionally hailed her election.
“Mrs Badenoch is the primary individual of African origin to occupy this place and the truth that she has Nigerian roots makes this a double celebration. That is the very best top an individual of Nigerian heritage has ever achieved within the Western hemisphere. I name on all Nigerians in Nigeria and the diaspora to rally round her.”
Additionally, a Nigerian dwelling in Bradford, UK, Maxwell Adeyemi, who spoke to Sunday PUNCH, known as for assist for Badenoch.
Nonetheless, netizens on Instagram and X (previously Twitter) mentioned there was nothing to have a good time.
“Due to what she not too long ago mentioned about Nigeria,” @GeneratXyz wrote. “I don’t really feel too excited to congratulate Kemi Badenoch. She might have performed her marketing campaign with out degrading the place she’s really from. The UK stays not her dwelling however her sojourn. Nigeria will ceaselessly be her root.”
Additionally, a number of the feedback on the announcement of her election on the Nigerians within the UK neighborhood platform have been unfavourable.
“Congratulations? The dumbest black girl within the Conservative Celebration? Do you even know Kemi? I no positive,” @ill_nojie wrote.
Badenoch, who was born within the UK to late Mr Femi Adegoke and Mrs Feyi Adegoke, was raised in Nigeria earlier than returning to the UK.
She not too long ago irked a former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, after she made a demeaning reference to Nigeria within the build-up to the election.
In an interview, Badenoch mentioned she didn’t need the UK to expertise what made her flee Nigeria.
“That is my nation…I don’t need it to change into just like the place I ran away from. I need it to get higher and higher, not only for me, however for that subsequent technology,” she mentioned.
It’s not the primary time she can be criticised for making such snide feedback concerning the nation.
The 44-year-old girl as soon as instructed the BBC, “I grew up someplace the place the lights didn’t come on, the place we ran out of gas steadily regardless of being an oil-producing nation.”
Additionally in 2020, she defended the British colonialism throughout a debate on the UK’s response to the Black Lives Matter Motion.
She mentioned, “The truth that colonialism occurred doesn’t imply that our fashionable historical past is tainted by it.”
Adeyemi, nonetheless, mentioned her feedback have been based mostly on info.
He mentioned, “She solely instructed the reality. Thousands and thousands of lives of individuals, who’re treasured like that of Kemi Badenoch have been wasted by the folks entrusted with energy. She was fortunate to have been born right here within the UK. However, what number of Nigerians have such a chance? We shouldn’t blame Kemi for telling the reality.”