The Nigerian Presidency has downplayed recent critical remarks made by Kemi Badenoch, UK Conservative Party leader and Secretary of State for Business and Trade, asserting that her comments hold no significant impact on Nigeria.
Badenoch’s Criticism
Badenoch, who is of Nigerian descent, recently criticized Nigeria’s governance during a speech at an event organized by Onward, a UK think tank. She remarked that she did not want Britain to emulate Nigeria, which she described as a nation where government failure is evident.
Presidential Response
Addressing the comments on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Presidential Spokesman Daniel Bwala dismissed Badenoch’s remarks as political rhetoric aimed at gaining favor within her party.
“I don’t think it would have an effect because she’s not the government in power,” Bwala stated. “International relationships or collaborations are dealings between governments, and since she’s not the government, her comments won’t have any real effect.”
Bwala also noted that investors and stakeholders would scrutinize the motivations behind Badenoch’s statements, recognizing them as rhetoric rather than substantive critique.
Acknowledging Achievements but Criticizing Approach
While acknowledging Badenoch’s achievements in the UK, Bwala criticized her for leveraging populism and exploiting public discontent to build support within her party.
“The problem with Kemi is the rhetoric. She belongs to the right-wing base in the United Kingdom, which thrives on feeding off public anger,” Bwala explained.
He further compared Badenoch’s approach to that of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who has refrained from criticizing his country of origin, India, despite ongoing societal issues. “Sunak has never used India’s challenges as a tool to promote his politics. Badenoch, however, continually denigrates Nigeria to gain approval, which is counterproductive,” he added.
Broader Implications
Bwala emphasized that while Badenoch’s rhetoric may resonate within her political circles, it does not reflect the broader reality of Nigeria’s international standing. He urged her to adopt a more constructive approach, leveraging her platform to foster positive narratives about Nigeria instead of perpetuating criticism.
