Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of NiDCOM, clarified that Nigeria will not pressure Kemi Badenoch, newly elected Conservative Party leader, to identify with her Nigerian roots. Dabiri-Erewa stated that while her office reached out to Badenoch, it was ultimately up to her to embrace her heritage.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has clarified that Nigeria will not pressure Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, to publicly acknowledge her Nigerian heritage. Dabiri-Erewa made the statement during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, responding to a question about whether the Nigerian government had engaged with Badenoch since her election. She explained that while her office had reached out to the politician a few times, they received no response.
“We cannot force anyone to embrace their Nigerian identity,” Dabiri-Erewa stated. “It is entirely up to Kemi to decide whether she identifies with Nigeria and whether she wishes to collaborate with us.” She noted that, just as in the case of the former Miss Universe Nigeria, people may embrace their Nigerian heritage when it is convenient, but the decision to engage with the country remains a personal one.
Badenoch, born in London to Nigerian parents, has had a distinguished career in the UK, becoming the first Black leader of a major British political party. While she has acknowledged her roots in the past, Dabiri-Erewa stressed that it is ultimately Badenoch’s choice whether she actively works with Nigeria or publicly identifies as Nigerian.
The statement comes after Badenoch elected to replace Rishi Sunak as the leader of the Conservative Party, marking a significant moment in UK politics.
