Kemi Badenoch says she no longer identifies as Nigerian
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch says she no longer identifies as Nigerian and has not renewed her passport in over 20 years.
Background and upbringing
Kemi Badenoch, whose parents are Nigerian, was born in the UK and spent parts of her childhood in Nigeria and the US. She moved back to England at 16 as political and economic conditions in Nigeria deteriorated.
Passport status and national identity
In a conversation on the Rosebud podcast, hosted by former MP Gyles Brandreth, Badenoch revealed she has not renewed her Nigerian passport since the early 2000s. "Most of my life has been in the UK, and I've never felt the need to," she said. "I'm Nigerian by ancestry but not in identity."
Impact on political views
Badenoch said her experiences in Nigeria influenced her opposition to socialism. She also recounted the challenges of obtaining a visa when she returned to Nigeria after her father's death.
Response from Nigerian authorities
Last year, Nigeria's vice-president, Kashim Shettima, criticized her remarks as denigrating the country. A spokesperson for Badenoch dismissed the backlash.
Despite her heritage, Badenoch emphasizes that her personal and political identity is firmly rooted in the UK.
This topic was reported by BBC.
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