The Nigerian Presidency has responded to recent remarks made by UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, accusing her of using negative rhetoric about Nigeria to gain favor within her party.
Badenoch recently stated that she does not want the UK to become like Nigeria, which she claimed has a failed government. In reaction, Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communications, said Badenoch’s comments were aimed at strengthening her support among the right-wing base of the Conservative Party.
“She’s building a rhetoric of denigrating Nigeria, demarketing Nigeria, so she can probably win the acceptance of the right in her party,” Bwala said during an interview on Sunrise Daily on Channels Television.
Drawing a comparison, Bwala pointed out that UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, of Indian descent, has never used India’s challenges as a political weapon.
Despite Badenoch’s statements, Bwala dismissed concerns that her remarks would impact Nigeria’s ability to attract investors. He argued that since she is not in government, her views would not affect official diplomatic and economic relations. He also noted that investors would assess whether her statements were merely political rhetoric.
