Focus on something useful, not Kemi Badenoch, Atiku’s aide tells Shettima

Phrank Shaibu, the spokesman for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has asked those criticising the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, to embark on a moment of introspection.

Specifically, Shaibu urged Vice President Kashim Shettima to find something useful to do rather than concentrating on Badenoch.

PUNCH Online reports that Badenoch 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 which has been making 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 a message to her Nigerian supporters, she particularly pledged to uplift the image of the country through her position in the British political system.

However, in the race to succeed the former British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, in 2022, Badenoch had accused Nigerian politicians of using public funds for their private matters.

Also, at the Conservative Party conference, Badenoch claimed that her upbringing in Nigeria was overshadowed by fear and insecurity in a country plagued by corruption.

In one of her interviews with the British media after becoming the Conservative party leader, Badenoch said she did not want the UK to experience what made her flee Nigeria.

Reacting, Shettima, during the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue last Monday, accused Badenoch of disparaging her country of origin, Nigeria, after she emerged as the UK’s Conservative Party leader.

The vice president stated that she had the right to express her opinions but could not diminish the country’s value.

Shettima proposed that Badenoch might “remove the Kemi from her name” if she did not feel pride in her “nation of origin.”

In response, Badenoch reaffirmed that she stood by her words, stating that he is not a Public Relations representative for Nigeria.

However, in a post on his X page on Saturday, Shaibu said that despite bearing the name Kemi, it does not automatically make the UK lawmaker a Nigerian.

He asked the vice president to find something useful to do with his time instead of berating Badenoch.

He wrote: “Those criticizing @KemiBadenoch should pause for a moment of introspection. The mere fact that her name is Kemi or that she has Yoruba roots does not automatically render her Nigerian.

“After all, Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus @gabrieljesus9 is not the son of God. @officialSKSM should find something useful to do with his time.”