How Kemi Badenoch used her Nigerian roots to become a British MP

British Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, who has been in the eye of the storm over controversial statements about Nigeria, once sought help from citizens of the West African country to get her parliamentary seat. Saturday PUNCH reports.

Badenoch (née Adegoke) had in 2010 sought the support of the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom in her bid to win a seat in the British parliament.

A campaign document that made the rounds on social media showed that during her campaign for Dulwich and West Norwood, she reached out to Nigerians while highlighting her roots.

In particular, she is committed to raising the country's image through her position in the British political system.

In a message to his Nigerian supporters, Badenoch said: “I need your help. I am running for parliament in the 2010 UK general election. The race is very close. Last year, an investigation was carried out in this constituency by the World News and the predictions were that I would win. This year, things are much more difficult as the party has fallen nationally in the polls. I need your help.

In a recent BBC interview, a caller insulted me because I am Yoruba. I was very disappointed that a Nigerian woman who claimed to have lived in London for 45 years took issue with the fact that I am Yoruba rather than my political views and shamefully made her comments on national radio.

We really need to get out of this mindset where we're beating each other up and try to support each other. Regardless of one's party allegiance, it would be astonishing if a Nigerian in Parliament won solely on merit and not through close friends or buying elections.

She lamented that her generation had suffered enough from the mistakes of the past and that it was time to tell the story.

So I am asking for your help now to support a Nigerian who is trying to improve our national image and do something great here, she added.

However, British-born Badenoch, after winning the election, used her experiences in Nigeria as a talking point to rally support for her policies.

She has been accused of exploiting her roots for political purposes.

While running to succeed former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2022, Badenoch lambasted Nigerian politicians for polluting the environment with degradation.

She said: “I grew up in Nigeria and saw first-hand what happens when politicians look after their own affairs, when they use public money as their private piggy bank.

I have seen what socialism is for millions of people. I saw poverty and broken dreams. I came to Britain to make my way in a country where hard work and honest effort can get you anywhere.

Furthermore, in one of the interviews she had with the British media, she said that she does not want the United Kingdom to experience what made her flee Nigeria.

This is my country, I don't want it to become like the place I fled. I want it to get better and better, not just for me, but for the next generation, she said.

Nigerians in the diaspora, including former presidential aide Reno Omokri, have accused Badenoch of using his Nigerian origins when it suited him and distancing himself when it suited his political ambitions.

Omokri is his X page, gave instances where the UK disowned Nigerians during their downtime, but accommodated them at best.

Ms Badenoch may want to familiarize herself with the case of former British football star John Fashanu. When he was the darling of British football fans, he was called British and he had no connection with Nigeria, he said.

Furthermore, Vice President Kashim Shettima, during the 10th annual migration dialogue, said that she has the right to express her views but cannot diminish the value of the country.

In response, Badenoch's spokesperson reiterated that she stood by her comments.

She is the leader of the opposition and she is very proud of her leadership in the opposition in the country. She tells the truth. She says it like it is. She won't phrase her words and she sticks to what she says, the spokesperson said.