Nigerian activist Aisha Yesufu has taken a swipe at Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, for her controversial comments about colonialism and reparations.
Badenoch recently dismissed the idea of repatriation due to colonialism as a “scam,” sparking widespread criticism.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Yesufu, the co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) advocacy group, challenged Badenoch’s stance, accusing her of disregarding the painful history of colonized nations like Nigeria.
Yesufu argued that the United Kingdom’s wealth was built on the suffering of colonized people, labelling Badenoch’s comments as dismissive and out of touch.
“United Kingdom grew on the back of people’s pain and anguish. Looted Kingdoms, destroyed systems, and killed people, and Kemi says their wealth isn’t from people’s pain,” she wrote.
She further criticized Badenoch for clinging to personal grievances about her brother’s encounter with Nigerian police while simultaneously urging others to “move on” from the past.
Her words: “Kemi Badenoch… is still hung up that a policeman stole her brother’s shoes!”
Yesufu concluded her post by dismissing Badenoch’s connection to Nigeria, stating, “She is not Nigerian, and we get it!”
Badenoch’s controversial remarks have reignited debates around colonialism, reparations, and the responsibilities of political figures of African descent in addressing historical injustices.
Some critics have accused her of pandering to Western narratives, while others argue that her perspective reflects a pragmatic approach to addressing current global challenges.
Kemi Badenoch, a rising political figure in the UK, has previously faced backlash for her stance on issues related to race, colonial history, and her Nigerian heritage.
While some hail her as a symbol of diversity in British politics, others question her commitment to addressing systemic injustices rooted in colonial legacies.
