We Won’t Beg Potential British PM, Kemi Badenoch To Identify Her Nigerian Roots – Abike Dabiri-Erewa

Abike Dabiri-Erewa has said that Nigerian-born potential British prime minister, Sister Kemi Badenoch will not be begged to acknowledge her Nigerian roots.

The Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has said that Nigeria will not force Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected leader of the UK Conservative Party, to acknowledge her Nigerian heritage.

Dabiri-Erewa, whose office is responsible for engaging with Nigerians living abroad, mentioned that her team had attempted to contact Badenoch multiple times but received no response.

“We have reached out to her once or twice without any response, so we don’t force people to accept being Nigerian,” Dabiri-Erewa said during an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘The Morning Brief’ on Wednesday. She added, “It depends on whether she identifies with the Nigerian part of her. If she appreciates her Nigerian roots and wants to work with us, we are open to everyone. But we cannot force anyone to recognize their Nigerian identity.”

She further explained that people with Nigerian ancestry who choose to embrace their heritage are always welcomed. “As long as the blood is in you, you are a Nigerian,” she said, referring to a former Miss Universe contestant who only embraced her Nigerian identity after facing issues in South Africa.

Regarding Kemi Badenoch, Abike Dabiri-Erewa stated that it is up to her to decide whether to connect with Nigeria, emphasizing that the government cannot impose this on anyone. Badenoch, who was elected as the leader of the Conservative Party on Saturday, made history by becoming the first black leader of a UK-wide political party. She won 57% of the votes in a contest against Robert Jenrick, after Rishi Sunak resigned following the party’s poor performance in the general election.

Badenoch, 44, who was born in London, spent her childhood in Lagos, Nigeria, and the United States. She returned to the UK at 16 due to the worsening political and economic situation in Nigeria. Upon assuming leadership of the Conservative Party, she called it an “enormous honor” and acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, “We have to be honest about the fact we made mistakes,” and emphasized the need for renewal within the party.

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