Kemi Badenoch, leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, says she identifies more with the Yoruba ethnic group than the Nigerian entity.
Badenoch spoke in an interview with the Spectator published on Thursday.
The politician’s remarks come amid a simmering identity row, following her previous criticisms of Nigeria’s governance terrain and society, which sparked backlash and reignited debates over her ties to the country.
Born Olukemi Adegoke to Nigerian Yoruba parents in the UK, Badenoch’s last name changed after she married a Scottish banker.
She returned to Nigeria, where she grew up, and finally departed for the UK when she turned 16.
Infamous for her straight-talking style, Badenoch described Nigeria as a socialist nation brimming with thieving politicians and insecurity.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima criticised the former UK equalities minister for her depiction of Nigeria and urged her to change her first name if she no longer wants to identify with her homeland.
Speaking to the Spectator, Badenoch said she has nothing in common with people from northern Nigeria — a region Shettima hails from.
“I find it interesting that everybody defines me as being Nigerian. I identify less with the country than with the specific ethnicity [Yoruba]. That’s what I really am,” she said.
“I have nothing in common with the people from the north of the country, the Boko Haram where the Islamism is, those were our ethnic enemies and yet you end up being lumped in with those people.”
Badenoch said she is proud of her Yoruba ancestry which has given her a “very strong identity”.
“Somebody once told me when I was very young that my surname was a name for people who were the warriors,” she added.
“They protected the crown and that’s what I see myself as doing. I am here to protect and I will die protecting this country because I know what’s out there.”
Badenoch’s spokesperson had clarified that the politician is not interested in laundering Nigeria’s image.